Olympians turned politicians.

[Vince]

I just wanted to see if there are any particular trends in Track and Field stars that have turned to politics. I'll list a few that I know of, and hopefully some knowledgable people who visit here will add some more.

OK here goes:
Lasse Viren, MP Finland, Conservative
Sebastion Coe, MP England, Conservative
Jim Ryun, Representative USA, Republican

So far, no liberals.

[billthedog]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

Add Mathias, Republican

[billthedog]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

But I think Guy Drut held his cabinet position as a Socialist.

[stevehj197]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

I believe Ralph Metcalfe was a US Congressman.

Alan Cranston was very active in Seniors Track.

[Guest]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

Jim Beatty won election to the North Carolina State Legislature as a Democrat over thirty years ago. His campaign slogan: "Let Jim Beatty Run For You."

[MJD]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

>So far, no liberals.

Peter Fonseca-liberal MPP Ontario

[Guest]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

You are correct, Ralph Metcalfe represented a Congressional district in Chicago. There were many track figures who were politcally or socially active on a national scale or within specific movements, among them Paul Robeson of Rutgers,RFK confidant and Special Olympics official Rafer Johnson and advocates Wilma Rudolph and Willye White.

We have had many leading educators and journalists who, while not Olympians, were collegiate athletes (Marty Glickman,Harry Edwards and Keith Jackson to name a few).

Bijan

[Guest]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

Both Metcalfe (Congress) and Cranston (Senate) were Democrats.

[billthedog]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

I thought I'd posted Metcalfe, who was indeed a faithful Democratoic congressman from Chicago, but it must have gotten lost. As admirable as any Stanford quarter miler is, Cranston was not an Olympian. Glickman was, though, even if notoriously he didn't run in the relay.

[Guest]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

If Fonceca is as dishonest to Canada as he was reporting his workouts to Dellinger, you Canucks got what you deserve.

[MJD]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

>If Fonceca is as dishonest to Canada as he was reporting his workouts to
>Dellinger, you Canucks got what you deserve.

Technically, we Ontarians. Funny what you learn. Nothing personal against the guy but I wouldn't have voted for him. How much gilding of the lily did he do? He still managed a 2:11:34 on a course that wasn't a gimme.

[Vince]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

Arto Bryggare, Finland MP, Social Democrat
and Sari Essayah, Finland MP, Christian Democrat

[Umnitsa]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

Valeriy Borzov is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, SDPU (O) ,i.e. Social Democrat

[Per Andersen]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

Chris Chataway was Member of Parliament in England for the Conservative Party. I think he served in Ted Heath's government in the 70's

[Guest]

Re: Olympians turned politicians.

Bob Dole, Republican.

He was apparently a phenomenal half-miler in high school; I'm not certain what his best time was.