Jan Boutmy

Olympic Fencer Jan Boutmy, 10 december 1930, Netherlands

*  1964 Olympic Games, Tokio Japan, Sabre fencer, Netherlands Antilles
*  1968 Olympic Games, Mexico, Sabre fencer, Netherlands Antilles

When did you hear about the sport in which you became so successful?

I was a little boy when my father, A.J.G. (Dop) Boutmy became Sabre champion in the Netherlands in 1935. During the period 1936 – 1939 my father was lieutenant to the Governor of Curaçao. In his free time he started to promote the fencing sport, giving lessons on the top floor of Penha building. Sometimes I joined and watched him and started to like the sport myself.

Do you have more well known sporters in the family?

My old uncle, Joop Boutmy was a soccer player in the Dutch team during the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. They won the Bronze medal.

Can you mention some of the highlights next to the Olympic Games?

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES CHAMPIONSHIP:
1957 I became champion on all three weapons FOIL-  SABRE – EPEE and was declared
“Curacao Sportsman of the year”.

CENTRAL AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN GAMES:
1959 Caracas, Venezuela, SABRE INDIVIDUAL GOLD – TEAM GOLD –  EPEE TEAM – BRONZE
1962 Kingston, Jamaica, SABRE INDIVIDUAL GOLD – TEAM GOLD
1966 Puerto Rico, SABRE  INDIVIDUAL BRONZE – TEAM SILVER
1970 Panama SABRE – TEAM BRONZE
In total I won 8 medals 4 GOLD -1 SILVER and 3 BRONZE

PAN AMERICAN GAMES: I competed 5 times:
in 1955 Mexico, 1959 Chicago, 1963 Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1967 Winnipeg, Canada and 1971 Cali, Colombia.
Although no prices, I still did well in many events.

Did you follow a special trainings program?

My father was my first trainer. After him Maitre Anton Hoeverts became our coach and he gave me 3 times weekly special training to be prepared for the Olympic Games.

What was your most difficult fencing experience?

Before we started an international sabre event, I was asked to lose one bout to one of my own fencers so that he could become the winner. I was very mad and refused to do so. I started the event and won all my bouts (most with 5 – 1) till I became the champion.

What was the nicest experience?

During the Tokio Olympic Games in 1964, I was fencing against Jerzy Pawlowski the world Polish Sabre champion and was winning 1-0 – 2-0 – 3-0 – 4-0  he came back till 4 – 4 and I made a beautiful arret on his arm. One assistant referee said YES the other said abstain and the President said NO the continuation of the attack was YES – YES -YES and I lost the bout. Mr. Pawlowski was a real sportsman and congratulated me and said you are the real winner of this bout. That made me very happy!

What effect did the Olympic Games and the Olympic Experience have on your personal life?

I experienced 10 Olympic Games in several ways: In l964 and 1968 as Competitor, in 1972 and 1984 as a Judge, in 1988 Fencing Director for Aruba, in 1992 Invited Guest in 1996 Assisting the Organizing Committee as Director for the Fencing Information Desk in the village, in 2004 Observer World Olympians Reunion Center and in 2008 and 2012 P.R. at the World Olympians Ass. Reunion Center.  This gave me the opportunity to experience in different ways how big an event these Games are and how much effort it takes to make the Games a success every time. I learned in many ways how to treat people. I was always impressed by the one goal that brings people to the Olympic Games: The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part.

What have you been doing recently?

Although I am 85 and officially retired, I am still the President for the OANA (Olympians Association Neth. Ant.) and Vice President for the Pan American Olympians Ass. At the moment, my priority is to give most of my time to assist our Board in realizing the opening of the first Sport Museum in our beautiful Biblioteka National Korsou.

Do you have any special thoughts that you would like to share with aspiring Olympians?

Be proud to represent your country and your sport, never give up, be honest and fair and be sure you know the rules of your sport. No doping! When you return to your country become a member of the Olympians Ass.

 

“ONCE AN OLYMPIAN ALWAYS AN OLYMPIAN”