Gaston ROELANTS

Gaston Roelants made his international début at the 1960 Olympics, where he was fourth in the 3,000 metre steeplechase. At the 1962 European Championships, Roelants won the steeplechase and repeated that victory at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Between winning his two titles, in 1963, Roelants set his first steeplechase world record in Leuven, clocking 8:29.6, and set a second world record in the event in Leuven in 1965, recording 8:26.4. At the 1966 European Championships Roelants finished a disappointing third in the steeplechase and then decided to concentrate on longer distances. At the end of 1966, Roelants set world records for 20 km (58:06.2) and the 1-hour race (20,664 m), which he later improved to 57:44.4 and 20,878 metres in 1972. Roelants also won the marathon silver at the 1969 European championships and bronze at the 1974 European Championships, placing fifth in 1971. He won four gold medals at the International Cross-country Championships (1962, 1967, 1969, 1972) and continued racing into his 40s.

Personal Bests: Mar – 2-16:30 (1974); 3000S – 8:26.4 (1965).