Growing up, Ronny Van Sweevelt had a clear cycling role model: his older brother, Valère, had won the Monument Classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 1968. Ronny made a name for himself as a junior, with good results in national competition and selection for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. A bad back prevented him from joining a professional team, but it also drove him to use amphetamines as pain killers. He developed an addiction, which at times made him paranoid and psychotic. He had numerous encounters with the police when driving under the influence. One of these incidents made national headlines after he damaged 50 vehicles when he drove against traffic on the highway for 22 km while chased by police. This resulted in forced treatment for his conditions, as well as a life-long driving ban. Van Sweevelt reintegrated into society, working in bicycle repair, but tragically died after choking during a restaurant dinner.
Belgium