Jim Ryun, a former track & field athlete, and a politician received the nation's highest civilian honor. He got honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom through President Donald Trump on 24 July 2020. While Trump presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he referred to Ryun as a 'legendary athlete and legendary runner.' He said:
"Jim has personified the greatness of our country throughout his life. He's a giant of American athletics."
During the ceremony, Jim mentioned that he was born for running. Similarly, he stated that one of the greatest honors of his life was 'to represent the country and wear the Stars and Stripes on my chest while racing in the '60s and '70s.' He thanked Donald Trump for his "full-throated championing of this great country."
Also, the former world record holder athlete also went on through his Twitter to thank the President, where he wrote, 'Thank you, sir. It is one of the greatest privileges to receive from you.'
(©: Twitter/Jim Ryun)
Jim Ryun, as a professional athlete, won a silver medal back in the 1968 Olympic in the 1500 meter running race. He is a three-time Olympian.
Net Worth Of Jim Ryun
Jim Ryun's current net worth statistics are not up to date. But the records of 15 years back show that he had a fortune of $48,501 in 2005. The records further mention that he had the worth of $32,500 in Congressional FCU account and $16,001 in Congressional FCU/Roth.
Ryun's running career started while attending Wichita East High School in Kansas. During his academic years, he finished third at the 1964 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 1,500 meters race category and qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
During the time, he was already known as the record holder, who became the first schooler to break four minutes in the mile with a 3:59.0 at California Relays. He finished the race in 3:55.3 in '65, which became the national prep record until Alan Webb broke it in 2001.
Jim Ryun from the University of Kansas (©: WRCBtv.com)
Later, he set the two world records while attending the University of Kansas. In 1966, at the All-American Invitational in Berkeley, California, he finished the race in 3:51.3. Similarly, he won the AAU Championships at Bakersfield, California, by finishing in 3:51.1. Moreover, he added 1,500m W.R. of 3:33.1 at the USA vs Commonwealth game in Los Angeles in '67.
Besides, his world record included 880 yards in 1966, and he finished a couple of laps in 1:44.9 at Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1966. As a nation's top amateur athlete, he got named Sullivan Award winner. In 1968, he won a silver medal in 1500 meters at the Mexico City Olympic Games.
Furthermore, Jim Ryun won three consecutive AAU mile titles from 1965-67. Also, he is the winner of a pair of Olympic Trial golds in 1968 and 1972.
Likewise, he was the 1967 NCAA mile champion and later got elected to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1980.
Insight Into Jim Ryun's Political Career
Jim Ryun was first elected as the three-person Republican primary with 62 votes in 1996 as a Congressman. He had a tight race with the Democrat John Frieden, who outspent him $750,000 to $400,000. He represented the 2nd District of Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 2004, he defeated Democrat Nancy Boyda by the margin of 55% to 42%, who ran a campaign spending $1,105,838.
Similarly, he re-defeated Boyda in the 2006 election in the ratio of 51% to 47%. At the time, Boyda was a Democratic nominee alongside Roger Tucker of the Reform Party of the United States of America.
Throughout his political career, he worked in Armed Services, Budget, and Financial Services Committee. He supported former President George W. Bush's legislative agenda; however, in 2003, he broke up with President concerning a couple of initiatives, including 'No Child Left Behind' and 'Medicare' reform legislation.