Maurice Peeters

{{Short description|Dutch cyclist (1882–1957)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox cyclist | name = Maurice Peeters | image = Maurice Peeters.jpg | image_size = | caption = Peeters after winning the 1km sprint at the 1920 Olympics | fullname = Mouritius Prosper Peeters | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth date|1882|5|5|df=yes}} | birth_place = Antwerp, Belgium | death_date = {{death date and age|1957|12|5|1882|5|5|df=yes}} | death_place = Leidschendam, the Netherlands | height = | weight = | currentteam = | discipline = Track | role = Rider | ridertype = Sprinter | amateuryears1 = | amateurteam1 = | proyears1 = | proteam1 = | majorwins = | medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|the {{NED}} }} {{MedalSport | Men's track cycling}} {{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}} {{MedalGold| 1920 Antwerp | 1000 m sprint}} {{MedalBronze| 1924 Paris | 2000 m tandem}} | show-medals = yes | updated = }}

'''Mouritius "Maurice" Prosper Peeters''' (5 May 1882 – 5 December 1957) was a track cyclist from the Netherlands, who represented his country at two consecutive Summer Olympics (1920 and 1924).<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/pe/maurice-peeters-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418122355/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/pe/maurice-peeters-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-04-18 |title=Maurice Peeters Olympic Results |accessdate=2013-12-23 |work=sports-reference.com}}</ref>

He was born in Antwerp, Belgium, but was raised in The Hague. He died in nearby Leidschendam.

In 1920, Peeters became amateur world champion in track cycling. One day later he rode the Olympic 1000m sprint, and of course he was considered a favourite. He lost in the first round, but his second place was enough to progress to the next round. He then won the quarter final and the semi-final. In the final, he rode against two British cyclists, Harry Ryan and Tiny Johnson. They tried to use their numerical advantage, and Ryan attacked. Peeters got him back. In the final corner, Johnson came around the corner to try towin the race, but Peeters was ahead and kept his lead.<ref>[http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2007/06/24/nederlands-goud-4.aspx Description of the 1920 Olympic race] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724170025/http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2007/06/24/nederlands-goud-4.aspx |date=24 July 2011 }}</ref> After winning the gold medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp (1000 m sprint), making him the first Dutch individual Olympic champion, he captured the bronze medal four years later in the 2000 m tandem competition, alongside Gerard Bosch van Drakestein.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/16062 |title=Maurice Peeters |work=Olympedia |access-date=8 August 2021}}</ref>

==See also== * List of Dutch Olympic cyclists

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070609180222/http://www.sport.nl/overige/deelnemersfinder/ Dutch Olympic Committee] {{in lang|nl}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peeters, Maurice}} Category:1882 births Category:1957 deaths Category:Dutch male cyclists Category:Cyclists at the 1920 Summer Olympics Category:Cyclists at the 1924 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic cyclists for the Netherlands Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the Netherlands Category:Olympic gold medalists for the Netherlands Category:Dutch track cyclists Category:Cyclists from Antwerp Category:Cyclists from The Hague Category:Olympic medalists in cycling Category:Medalists at the 1920 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the 1924 Summer Olympics Category:20th-century Dutch sportsmen