Lievin LERNO

As the number two at the Belgian amateur Championships of 1948, Liévin Lerno competed in both the Olympics and the World Championships of that year. In London, he failed to finish the race. The Belgian team did win the gold medal in the team event, although only the first three times counted towards that event, and under the rules of the day Lerno would not receive a medal. (In fact, none of his team members did until 2010 due to an oversight.) At the World Championships in Valkenburg, he was beaten by Harry Snell in the sprint to capture silver. Turning professional with French outfit Garin the following season, Lerno did not fulfill the promise of that World Championship result. He did win some minor Belgian races, but never did well in major events. He later became president of the cycling club in his town - Berlage - which also hosted the annual kermesse race there.