Ron Delany

Ron Delany
Delany in 1957
Personal information
NicknameRonnie
Born(1935-03-06)6 March 1935
Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland
Died11 March 2026(2026-03-11) (aged 91)
Dublin, Ireland
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight75 kg (165 lb)
Sport
CountryIreland
SportAthletics
Events
800 m, 1500 m
ClubCrusaders Athletic Club, Dublin
Coached byJumbo Elliott
Retired1962
Achievements and titles
1956 Summer Olympics,
1960 Summer Olympics
Regional finals
1954 European Athletics Championships,
1958 European Athletics Championships
Personal bests
  • 800 m: 1:47.1 (1961)
  • 1500 m: 3:41.49 (1956)
  • Mile: 3:57.5 (1958)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Ireland
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1956 Melbourne1500 m
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place1958 Stockholm1500 m
World University Games
Gold medal – first place1961 Sofia800 m
Updated on 29 July 2012

Ronald Michael Delany (6 March 1935 – 11 March 2026) was an Irish athlete who specialised in middle-distance running. He won a gold medal in the 1500 metres at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He later earned a bronze medal in the 1500 metres event at the 1958 European Athletics Championships in Stockholm.

Delany also competed at the 1954 European Athletics Championships in Bern and the 1960 Summer Olympics, though he was less successful on these occasions. He retired from competitive athletics in 1962. Delany was one of Ireland's most recognisable Olympians and international ambassadors.