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Emil Voigt

Emil Robert Voigt (December 1882 – October 16, 1973) was a British athlete, winner of the Olympic 5 miles race in 1908.

Born in Manchester to German parents, Voigt won the 1908 AAA championship in the 4 miles, making him one of the favourites for the 5 miles at the 1908 Summer Olympics, which were held in London. Voigt, a vegetarian, indeed won the race easily, and became the second and last Olympic champion in the event, which was replaced by the 5000 m and 10000 m events in 1912.

He retired from sports in 1910, after winning two more AAA titles, and emigrated to Australia, where he set up his own radio station, broadcasting wrestling commentaries. He moved again in 1948, this time to New Zealand, where died at age 90 in Auckland.

Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's 5 miles and 10000 m

As five miles: Henry Hawtrey | Emil Voigt

As 10,000 metres: Hannes Kolehmainen | Paavo Nurmi (twice) | Ville Ritola | Janusz Kusociński | Ilmari Salminen | Emil Zátopek (twice) | Vladimir Kuts | Pyotr Bolotnikov | Billy Mills | Naftali Temu | Lasse Virén (twice) | Muruse Yefter | Alberto Cova | Brahim Boutayeb | Khalid Skah | Haile Gebrselassie (twice) | Kenenisa Bekele

Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Post-war British Olympic champions in men's athletics

1956 Chris Brasher (3000m steeplechase) | 1960 Don Thompson (50km walk) | 1964 Ken Matthews (20km walk) | 1964 Lynn Davies (long jump) 1968 David Hemery (400m hurdles) 1980: Allan Wells (100m) | 1980 Steve Ovett (800m) | 1980 & 1984 Sebastian Coe (1500m) | 1980 & 1984 Daley Thompson (decathlon) | 1992 Linford Christie (100m) | 2000 Jonathan Edwards (triple jump) | 2004 Jason Gardener, Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish & Mark Lewis-Francis (4x100m relay)