Thomas Van der Plaetsen

Thomas Van der Plaetsen is a Belgian decathlete. His biggest achievements are winning the gold medal for decathlon at the 2016 European Athletics Championships, winning bronze medal for heptathlon at the 2014 World Indoor Championships, and gold medal for decathlon at the 2013 and 2015 Summer Universiade.

Personal bests

Outdoor

100 metres – 11.04
400 metres – 48.64
1500 metres – 4:32.52
110 metres hurdles – 14.36
High jump – 2.17
Pole vault – 5.45
Long jump – 7.90
Shot put – 14.28
Discus Throw – 48.81
Javelin Throw – 65.31
Decathlon – 8430

Indoor

60 metres – 7.13
1000 metres – 2:40.50
60 metres hurdles – 8.06
High jump – 2.13
Pole vault – 5.50
Long jump – 7.78
Shot put – 14.32
Heptathlon – 6259

Health problems

In October 2014, it became known that during an unannounced doping control test in September 2014, Van der Plaetsen had tested positive for the hormone HCG. On 2 October 2014, Van der Plaetsen revealed that those heightened HCG levels were caused by up to then undiagnosed testicular cancer, for which he was then treated.