In 1940, World War II caused the cancellation of the Olympic Summer Games and with it went the Olympic hopes of Bristol’s Paul Neveu. A member of the Bristol Boys Club Strength and Health Club Weight Lifters from 1935 through 1950, Paul Neveu was a multi-time Connecticut and New England Weight lifting champion. He won his first state title in 1936 and repeated in 1937. He was the 1938 New England Champion and won second place at the AAU Senior Nationals. He was the AAU champion in 1940 and received a letter from the US Olympic Committee inviting him to compete in the 1940 Olympics. He set state records in the press and snatch and a national mark in the clean and jerk. His total of 565 lbs was the best in the country for his class in 1940. He continued to compete and win competitions throughout the 1940’s.

During World War II, Paul and a group of his fellow competitors organized an exhibition to raise funds for the Kits for Bristol Serviceman Committee, earning $519.48 for the organization after selling tickets at $1.80 a head.