One of the greatest French athletes of the 1970s died this Saturday evening. Aged 76, Jean-Claude Nallet died at his home. In 1971, the Frenchman became European champion in the 400m hurdles in Helsinki (Finland).
His international career began at the World Championships in Budapest in 1966. At only 19 years old, the native of Champdor (in Ain) won his first bronze medal in the 200m in the Hungarian capital. Subsequently, Jean-Claude Nallet specialized in the 400m and especially the 400m hurdles, a discipline in which he forged a fine record.
John Smith and Jean-Claude Nallet shaking hands at the France vs USA match. Smith still holds the WR for the 440 yard dash at 44.5 seconds! pic.twitter.com/GBRnRsyjwV
— Joseph Fuller (@justrunfuller) November 4, 2016
In addition to his European title in 1971, he was also a gold medalist at the 1969 European Championships with the 4x400m tricolor relay. He also distinguished himself in 1970 in Colombes during a France-United States by beating, in 48′’6, the American Ralph Mann, world number one at the time. A performance that allowed him to be crowned champion of French champions by L’Equipe that year. The Frenchman ended his career in 1978.
