Ronnie Delany’s first athletic achievement of note came when he made the final of the 800 m at the 1954 European Championships, but finished in eighth and last place. In 1956, Delany became the seventh runner to run a 4-minute mile, but still had trouble making the 1956 Irish Olympic team. At the Olympics, Delany was not favored in the 1,500 m, that role going to Australian John Landy. In the 1,500 m final, Delany stayed on Landy’s shoulder until the final lap, when he unleashed a crushing final sprint, winning the race in an Olympic record. Delany won bronze at the 1958 European Championships in the 1,500 and also competed at the 1960 Olympics, where he did not get past the 800 quarter-final. He also won an 800 gold at the 1961 World University Games.
Delany won four Irish national titles and, as a Villanova student, won NCAA 1,500 m titles from 1956-58, also adding the 1958 800 title. After finishing his sporting career, Delany first worked with Aer Lingus in the US. He then spent almost 20 years as Assistant Chief Executive of B&I Line with specific responsibility for the marketing and operations of the Irish Ferry Company based in Dublin. In 1998, Delany established his own highly successful Marketing / Sports Consultancy Business.
Personal Bests: 800 – 1:47.1y (1961); 1500 – 3:41.49 (1956).
Ireland