Gaston Roelants

About Gaston Roelants

Gaston, Baron Roelants is a former elite steeplechaser and cross country runner. He won the 1962 European and 1964 Olympic titles in the 3000 m steeplechase and twice broke the world record.

Career Success:

• Roelants finished fourth in the steeplechase at the 1960 Olympics, and after winning a bronze medal at the 1966 European Championships he successfully turned to longer distances, setting world records in the 20 km (58 minutes 6.2 seconds) and in the 1 hour race (20,664 m) that year. In 1972 he improved those records to 57 minutes 44.4 seconds and 20,878 meters. He won a silver (1969) and a bronze (1974) medal in European marathon races.He was ranked the world's best steeplechaser five times, in 1962–1965 and 1967.
  
• Roelants also won four international cross country titles (1962, 1967, 1969 and 1972) with three second places between 1960 and 1975. His long career continued into his 40s. Later he won five world titles in the masters category and held the masters world record in the steeplechase for 27 years.
  
• A major Belgian road race is named after Roelants
  

Gaston Roelants Achievements

Olympic Games:

• Gold medal – first place1964 Tokyo3000 m steeplechase
  

European Championships:

• Gold medal – first place1962 Belgrade3000 m steeplechase
  
• Bronze medal – third place1966 Budapest3000 m steeplechase
  
• Silver medal – second place1969 AthensMarathon
  
• Bronze medal – third place1974 RomeMarathon