BRITAIN'S first Olympic champion, the mustachioed and hulking Launceston Elliot, lay for decades in a grave marked with nothing more than number 960 in a corner of Melbourne's sprawling Fawkner cemetery.
Monuments had been built and commemorative postage stamps issued for Australia's equivalent sporting legend Edwin Flack who, like Elliot, triumphed at the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.
But as Britain's Sports Minister Hugh Robertson confessed before witnessing the righting of his nation's sporting history, even he didn't know of Elliot's feats, let alone what had become of him, until a month ago.
"I suspect if he'd been buried at home somebody might have twigged earlier on. We're just grateful that it has been brought to our attention and that we can do something about it," Mr Robertson said in Melbourne yesterday.
Among the 30 present for the unveiling of a headstone that outlines his accomplishments was Elliot's granddaughter, Ann Elliot Smith, who never met her grandfather. "My heart is bursting with pride," she said.
Conceived in Launceston, before his parents, who were of Scottish descent, married in Carlton, Victoria, in 1873, Elliot was born in India on June 9, 1874.
After his father retired as a magistrate in Bombay, the clan returned to Britain and, as an impressively sized 16-year-old, Elliot entered the world's first national weightlifting championships at London's Piccadilly Circus in 1891.
Three years later he was British champion and on March 26, 1896, he and the British Olympic team boarded the SS Congo for Athens.
He entered the 100-metre sprint, rope climbing and wrestling events, but excelled in the discipline he was trained in. In the two-handed lift, Elliot tied with Dane Viggo Jensen on a weight of 111.5 kilograms, but Jensen's execution was considered more stylish by judge Prince George of Greece, who had known Danish ties but no known expertise in weightlifting.
The one-handed lift was contested on the same day and Elliot raised 71 kilograms above his head to Jensen's 57.2. It marked Britain's first Olympic triumph, yet the Athens committee could not afford gold medals so winners were presented with
silver mementoes, an olive branch and certificate.
By the 1900 Paris Olympics, Elliot had set four records at the amateur championships, but the sport was not on the program so he contested the discus. His throw of 31 metres ranked 10th but still set a British record.
A change of direction after those Games had Elliot tap into showmanship. The star of a circus-style strongman act, Elliot led a troupe who performed in leopard skins and togas all over Europe and in South America.
In retirement, soon after World War I, Elliot retreated to a farm in England before the family returned to Australia in 1923 and settled in Whittlesea. Following surgery on a cancerous growth on his spine, Elliot died in 1930, aged 56.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Who was Launceston Elliot and why is he notable in Olympic history?
Launceston Elliot was Britain’s first Olympic champion, a hulking strongman who won at the 1896 Athens Olympics. He excelled in weightlifting—winning the one-handed lift—and competed in multiple events, establishing himself as an early star of modern Olympic history.
What prompted the recent headstone unveiling for Launceston Elliot in Melbourne?
Elliot had lain for decades in Melbourne’s Fawkner cemetery under a grave marked only with number 960. The recent ceremony unveiled a proper headstone outlining his accomplishments after his significance was brought to wider attention.
Who attended the headstone unveiling at Fawkner cemetery and why was it significant?
About 30 people attended the unveiling, including Elliot’s granddaughter Ann Elliot Smith and Britain’s Sports Minister Hugh Robertson. Their presence underscored the cross‑generational and international interest in righting a long‑overlooked piece of sporting history.
How did Launceston Elliot perform at the 1896 Athens Olympics in the two-handed and one-handed lifts?
In the two‑handed lift Elliot tied with Dane Viggo Jensen at 111.5 kilograms but lost the nod on style to Jensen. In the one‑handed lift Elliot clearly prevailed, hoisting 71 kilograms to Jensen’s 57.2 kg—an achievement described as Britain’s first Olympic triumph.
Why didn’t winners at the 1896 Olympics receive gold medals?
The Athens organisers in 1896 could not afford gold medals, so winners were presented with silver mementoes, an olive branch and a certificate instead—details noted in the article recounting Elliot’s 1896 victory.
What other sporting feats and career turns did Launceston Elliot have after the 1896 Games?
By 1900 Elliot had set four records at the amateur championships and, when weightlifting wasn’t on the Paris programme, he threw the discus 31 metres—a British record and a 10th‑place finish. He later became a circus‑style strongman, performing across Europe and South America.
Where did Launceston Elliot live before and after his sporting career, and when did he die?
Elliot was born on June 9, 1874 in India; his family had links to Launceston and Carlton, Victoria, and later returned to Britain. After retirement he farmed in England, then his family returned to Australia in 1923 and settled in Whittlesea. He died in 1930, aged 56, following surgery for a cancerous growth on his spine.
How might the story of Launceston Elliot’s late recognition be of interest to everyday investors or collectors?
While the article doesn’t discuss markets, it shows how renewed recognition of historical figures can spark public interest in their legacy. Everyday investors or collectors who follow sports history or memorabilia may find such stories useful as a prompt to research provenance and cultural significance before making collecting or heritage‑related decisions.
Call 1300 880 160
Start a chat
Schedule a call
