Ron Eland

William Ronald Eland^[1] (20 February 1923 – 12 February 2003) was a South African weightlifter. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1948 Summer Olympics, representing Great Britain.^[2]

Life[]

Ron Eland visited the Apollo School of Weightlifting, also known as Milo Academy. He was mentored by the founder of the academy, Milo Pillay, who was a famous South African weightlifter.

In 1947, Pillay tried to send a selection of boxers, wrestlers, weightlifters and athletes to the Olympic Games in London, which included Eland.As this was prevented by the South African Olympic and British Empire Games Association, Eland joined the British national team. With the support of Tromp van Diggelen, a physical cultralist, he managed to participate at the 1948 Olympic Games under the British flag. He was not able to complete his lifts due to a burst appendix, however.

In 1976, after emigrating to North America, Eland served as the technical coach for the Canadian weightlifting team at the 1976 Summer Olympics and the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

Death[]

William Ron Eland died on February 12th 2003 while on a visit in Cape Town, South Africa.

References[]

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