Track and field
b. 1877, Montreal, Quebec
d. 1905
A Montreal policeman, Desmarteau asked for a leave of absence in 1904 so he could compete in the Olympics. His request was turned down and, when he decided to go anyway, he was fired.
Desmarteau won the 56-pound weight event with a throw of 34 feet, 4 inches. It was the first gold medal ever for Canada. When he returned to Montreal, he was welcomed as a hero and his firing was forgotten. Less than a year later, he died of typhoid fever.
Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
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