On Friday, President Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to three-time Olympic congressman and former Republican congressman from Kansas, Jim Ryun, calling him a “legendary runner” and a “true American patriot.”
“He is a giant of American athletics and a dedicated public servant and a man of charity, generosity, and faith,” Trump said at a White House ceremony where Ryun joined his family. “He is a great man, actually. Jim, thank you very much for your unwavering dedication to our country.”
Nicknamed the “mile teacher,” Ryun, 73, became the first high school athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes and was the last American to hold the world record for the mile race. He then became an Olympic silver medalist before turning to public service as a Kansas congressman for five terms.
“I wish I had it now,” Trump said of Ryun’s service in the House of Representatives.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. Presidents traditionally honor Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to major cultural or other public or private efforts.
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Previous Trump honorees include conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, golfer Tiger Woods, former NBA basketball star Jerry West, former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, car racing leader Roger Penske , Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah and Dr. Miriam Adelson, an Israeli-American philanthropist and prominent Republican donor.
Jim Ryun, former Republican representative from Kansas, speaks during a television interview in front of the White House in Washington DC, USA on Friday, July 24, 2020. Ryun, a three-time Olympian, will receive the President’s Presidential Medal of Freedom Donald Trump today. Photographer: Stefani Reynolds / Bloomberg via Getty Images
Trump has honored people posthumously, including late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, music legend Elvis Presley, and great baseball player Babe Ruth.
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Ryun’s start in the sport was difficult.
In high school, a young Ryun was cut by his church’s baseball team and high school basketball team and was not even able to be on the high school track team.
Ryun went to bed every night and prayed for help.
“Dear God, I would like my life to amount to something,” Ryun recalled the prayer. “I think you have a plan for my life. I would appreciate your help in solving it. And if you could help me, make a plan that includes some kind of sport. I would really appreciate it. Thank you. Good evening.
“God, in fact, appeared in a huge way,” Ryun said Friday at the White House ceremony.
Ryun found the distance race and became a world-class athlete and one of the most successful American runners.
Jim Ryun reacts after President Donald Trump presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ryun, in the Blue Room of the White House, on Friday, July 24, 2020 in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
He made the Wichita East High School athletic team as a sophomore and as a 17-year-old in 1964 he became the first high school student to record a time of 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
Ryun went on to compete in the 1964 Olympics and broke world records for the indoor mile and the outdoor mile while at the University of Kansas. He won the silver medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and competed at the 1972 Munich Games.
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“When ESPN ranked the best high school athletes of all time, all sports, they listed Jim Ryun as number one. That’s not bad for a guy who couldn’t be on their baseball team,” he said. Trump.
After athletics, Ryun was a Republican member of the Kansas Congress, serving from 1996 to 2007.
Her son Ted Ryun has also been active in politics. He is the founder and CEO of American Majority, a group that trains conservative activists.
At the ceremony, Ted honored his father’s integrity, humility, and honesty and said he would aspire to be “half the man he is.”
Jim Ryun praised Trump’s patriotism and presidency.
“On a day and time when many think it is appropriate to dishonor our flag, I will tell you that it is one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to represent this amazing country and to wear the stars and stripes on my chest while competing. 60s and 70s, “Ryun said. “There was so much pride and love for the country, and I cannot tell you, Mr. President, how much I appreciate your champion of this great country.”
