Étienne Gailly was a Belgian who served as a paratrooper during World War II. Towards the end of the War, as he participated in the liberation of his home country in late 1944, Gailly was profoundly moved by the devastation to his home. He vowed that he would win an Olympic gold medal or drop trying.

He was a club runner, wearing the colors of London's Belgrave Harriers. After the war he continued running. His results after the war were moderately good but not threatening to the world leaders. In 1948 he was not rated as a serious contender for the Olympic marathon, held in London.

Although he did not win the Olympic marathon, he became a hero.

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