Jim Ryun

James Ronald Ryun (born April 29 1947 in Wichita, Kansas), is an American track athlete and politician, who

Related Topics:
April 29 - 1947 - Wichita, Kansas - American - Track - Athlete - Politician

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has been a Republican member of the

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United States House of Representatives since 1997,

Related Topics:
United States House of Representatives - 1997

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representing the 2nd District of Kansas. (map)

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He is one of the greatest middle distance runners of all time.

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Attending Wichita East High School, in 1964 as a junior he became the first high school athlete to run a four-minute mile (1609m). In 1965 as a senior, he set the American male high school mile record of 3:55.3, which stood for 36 years.

Related Topics:
1964 - Four-minute mile - 1965

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In 1966, at age 19, Jim Ryun set the world record in both the mile and half-mile, and received Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award, as well as the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athelete. In 1967 he lowered his world record time in the mile to 3:51.1; this mark would stand for 8 years until it was finally eclipsed. He also held world records in the 1500 meters, indoor half-mile, and sprint medley relay.

Related Topics:
1966 - Sports Illustrated - Sportsman of the Year - James E. Sullivan Award - 1967

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Ryun participated in the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympic games, but Olympic gold eluded him. He won a silver medal in the 1500 meters in 1968 after being beaten down the stretch by Kip Keino. In the 1972 games he was tripped and fell during a 1500 meters qualifying heat and could not recover to advance.

Related Topics:
1964 - 1968 - 1972 - Olympic games - Kip Keino

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Ryun was educated at the University of Kansas, and was a business owner, product consultant and motivational speaker before entering the House.

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On November 2, 2004, Ryun was re-elected to serve a fifth term in the House. He defeated Democrat Nancy Boyda handily, though she was widely seen as a formidable and viable challenger to Ryun. Ryun had 55% of the vote to Boyda's 42%. Earlier polls had shown Boyda leading Ryun by as much as seven percentage points.

Related Topics:
November 2 - 2004 - Democrat - Nancy Boyda

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