Ronald Desruelles

Ronald Desruelles was a sprinter and long jumper who also dabbled in the decathlon. He earned four medals in the 60 metres at the European Indoors, winning gold in 1986, silver in 1988, and bronze in 1983 and 1985. Starting out as a long jumper, Desruelles also won a silver medal at the 1978 European Indoors and a bronze medal at the 1985 World Indoors. On 22 September 1984, Desruelles competed in a decathlon in Sart Tilman, Belgium and opened with a 10.0 for the 100 metres, the fastest 100 ever recorded in the decathlon, although it is not recognized as a world best as there was no auto timing.

Desruelles settled in Thailand where he ran three restaurants which were initially quite successful. But in the early 2010s the restaurants started to lose business and Desruelles ran into financial difficulties. In 2015 he took his own life by hanging himself, leaving a note asking the manager of the restaurant to sell the properties to pay his employees.

Personal Bests: 100 – 9.9 (1978); LJ – 8.08 (1979).