Benfica’s first and only participation in shooting
At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the man considered to be “the greatest Portuguese rifle shooter of all time” was present. It was the first and only time that a Benfica athlete participated in the most important sporting event.
Valmet Finnish Lion rifle 1950 decade
Sport Lisboa e Benfica collection
Luís Howorth participated in two shooting events with small calibre rifle, in the 50m specialty. He ranked 37th in prone and 31st in the set of all three positions (kneeling, prone, and standing). For his merit and sportsmanship, the Portuguese Shooting Federation proposed an Olympic medal to the shooter.
Did you know that…?
On the boat trip to Finland, in preparation for the standing position, considered the most difficult of all in shooting events, Luís Howorth went out on deck every morning to train with an empty gun aiming at the horizon.
Detail of O Benfica Ilustrado, no. 105 (June 1966), p. 11
Other Highlights
Participation of Benfica Athletes in the Olympic Games
Olympic Football - First participation of Benfica athletes in the Olympic Games
1928
Manuel Dias - A marathon with obstacles
1936
Athletes quartet
- Casimiro, Eleutério, Matos Fernandes and Paquete
1952
Alexandre Yokochi
- Expectations exceeded in swimming debut
1984
António Leitão
- Bronze medal
1984
Jovens esperanças
- High moment of the "red" swimming
1988
Diogo Madeira
- Three participations, constant evolution
1996
Uchenna Emedolou
- Second "red" bronze medal
2004
Nelson Évora
- First gold!
2008
Vanessa Fernandes
- Silver that feels like gold
2008
Athletics
- A handful of good performances
2016
Telma Monteiro
- The medal she fought so hard for
2016
