A book about a record-breaking Welsh sprinter has been released.

Ron Jones, the Welsh 100m sprint record holder for more than two decades, has posthumously unveiled his book, "Running Through My Life".

This retrospective work on his illustrious career, completed merely days before his death in December 2021, offers a unique insight into the history of British athletics.

Mr Jones, born in Cwmaman near Aberdare, paints vivid pictures of his early life in the autobiography.

He said: "Reflecting on my childhood behaviour, I realised that I rarely walked if I could run, and frequently sprinted as fast as I could.

"I enjoyed feeling the power in my legs pounding the ground as it passed quickly under my feet."

Over his career, the athlete bagged 28 Welsh sprint records and 12 Welsh titles, competed at four Commonwealth Games and two Olympic Games, and was the team captain at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

Post-retirement, he made impressive strides in sports management, serving as chief executive of Queens Park Rangers in the 70s, managing director of Cardiff City Football Club in the 80s, and as director of SportsAid Cymru Wales for 25 years.

After Mr Jones' wife, Linda Chamberlain-Jones, finalised his autobiography, it was published by Y Lolfa as a tribute to his legacy on July 12 2024.

Mrs Chamberlain-Jones stated: "I was delighted when Y Lolfa decided that they would like to publish the book and that his story should be told and made more widely available.

"Running Through My Life" is also about the challenges he faced and had to overcome to compete on the world stage.

"He achieved so much success at the highest level with very little help," she added.

The book also includes a foreword by Rt Hon Kim Howells, who comments on the economic backdrop of Mr Jones' formative years.

The foreword said, "Ron was born in 1934 in the middle of a catastrophic downturn in the demand of coal.

"And out of this economically shattered community, a lad emerged who ran so fast, , who spoke with such authority and confidence to his peers, regardless of their rank or background, and who was so trusted and respected by his team-mates that he was made captain of the British athletics team at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

Copies of 'Running Through My Life' are available from a number of book shops and online for £14.99 from July 12.