Benny Vansteelant
Encyclopedia
Benny Vansteelant was a Belgian
duathlete
. For the first decade of the 21st century he was the uncontested icon of Duathlon, winning more than 80% of the races he started at. He was born in Torhout
.
A book describing his early life and his rise to the top of the duathlon scene has been published in Dutch (ISBN 9789077941980 "Meneer Duatlon").
On September 8, 2007, Vansteelant was hit by a car during training on his bike. He suffered a broken leg
, facial injuries, a torn spleen
and damage to lungs and heart
. In the days after the accident, he seemed to recover well and was getting close to leaving the intensive care section of the hospital in Roeselare
on September 13. But one day later, Vansteelant suffered a cardiac arrest
. Even though receiving CPR
in time, he died of a pulmonary embolism in the early morning.
Benny's achievements included World Junior title in 1997, ITU World standard distance (10 km-40 km-10 km) champion in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, ITU World long distance champion in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and ETU European champion in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007. In 2001 he won all three titles in the same season. Benny also won the Powerman World long distance (10 km-150 km-30 km) championship in 2005 and 2006. He was awarded the 'Sport Jewel of Flanders' in 2003, the highest honour that a sportsman can get in the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium.
Benny’s younger brother Joerie, has continued the Vansteelant tradition and has also has considerable success in elite Duathlon.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
duathlete
Duathlon
Duathlon is an athletic event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg in a format bearing some resemblance to triathlons. The International Triathlon Union governs the sport internationally....
. For the first decade of the 21st century he was the uncontested icon of Duathlon, winning more than 80% of the races he started at. He was born in Torhout
Torhout
Torhout is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality only comprises the city of Torhout proper. On January 1, 2008 Torhout had a total population of 19,755...
.
A book describing his early life and his rise to the top of the duathlon scene has been published in Dutch (ISBN 9789077941980 "Meneer Duatlon").
On September 8, 2007, Vansteelant was hit by a car during training on his bike. He suffered a broken leg
Bone fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...
, facial injuries, a torn spleen
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
and damage to lungs and heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
. In the days after the accident, he seemed to recover well and was getting close to leaving the intensive care section of the hospital in Roeselare
Roeselare
Roeselare is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Roeselare proper and the towns of Beveren, Oekene and Rumbeke....
on September 13. But one day later, Vansteelant suffered a cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
. Even though receiving CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive...
in time, he died of a pulmonary embolism in the early morning.
Benny's achievements included World Junior title in 1997, ITU World standard distance (10 km-40 km-10 km) champion in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, ITU World long distance champion in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and ETU European champion in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007. In 2001 he won all three titles in the same season. Benny also won the Powerman World long distance (10 km-150 km-30 km) championship in 2005 and 2006. He was awarded the 'Sport Jewel of Flanders' in 2003, the highest honour that a sportsman can get in the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium.
Benny’s younger brother Joerie, has continued the Vansteelant tradition and has also has considerable success in elite Duathlon.
Honours
- ITU World Championship DuathlonITU Duathlon World ChampionshipsThe ITU Duathlon World Championships have been held annually since 1990. The championships involve a continuous run-cycle-run, with the format since 1994 being a first run of 10 km, a cycle of 40 km and a second run of 5 km . The championships are organised by the International...
(standard distance):- Winner (4): 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004
- ITU World Championship Duathlon (long distance):
- Winner (4): 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006
- ETU European Championship Duathlon:
- Winner (5): 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007
- Powerman World Championship Duathlon:
- Winner (2): 2005, 2006