Ron Clarke
Encyclopedia
Ronald William "Ron" Clarke, MBE
(born 21 February 1937 in Victoria
) is a former Australia
n athlete, writer, and current Mayor of the Gold Coast
. He is one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s, notable for setting seventeen world record
s.
and father Tom
played Australian rules football in the Victorian Football League
with Essendon.http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1BZVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dZMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6204%2C2107874
In 1956, when Clarke was still a promising 19-year-old, he was chosen to light the Olympic Flame
in the stadium
during the opening ceremonies of the 1956 Summer Olympics
in Melbourne
.
He won the bronze medal in the 10,000 m at the 1964 Summer Olympics
, but never won an Olympic gold medal. At the 1968 Summer Olympics
in Mexico City
, Clarke collapsed and nearly died from altitude sickness sustained during the gruelling 10,000 m race final. He suffered permanent heart damage from this event, as despite training in the Alps to get acclimated to high altitudes at Mexico City, this could not put him on par with opponents from African countries, whom had always run at high altitude. Clarke finished in sixth place, but remembered nothing of the last lap. He sufficiently recovered to compete in the 5,000 meter heats a few days later.
In the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
he won silver in the 3 miles (4.8 km) event, and in the 1966 Games
he won silver medals in the 3 miles (4.8 km) and 6 miles (9.7 km) events. During a 44-day European tour in 1965, he competed 18 times and broke 12 world records, including the 20,000 m (12.4 miles). He lowered his own 10,000 m world record by 39 seconds to become the first man to break the 28 minute barrier, running a 27:39.4. To win against a field of kickers, Clarke needed a fast pace throughout or a sustained surge at the end. He improved his 2 miles (3.2 km) speed in 1967 and 1968, lowering Michel Jazy
's world record by 3 seconds, running an 8:19.8 and then an 8:19.6.
of the Gold Coast, Queensland
in 2004, defeating the incumbent Gary Baildon. Clarke and his wife, Helen, first came to the Gold Coast for a holiday in 1957. The couple returned almost every year thereafter, and in 1995, after 14 years abroad mainly in Europe, came back for good. As mayor, Clarke hopes to ensure the continuation of development and the infrastructure of the city, such as roads, transport, education and medical needs.
for the 20,000 m and one hour run at Landy Field in October 1965. This meet is held annually as part of the Athletics Australia
National Meet Series.
On 15 March 2006, Ron Clarke was one of the final four runners who carried the Queen's Baton
around the MCG
stadium during the 2006 Commonwealth Games
Opening Ceremony in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
(born 21 February 1937 in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
) is a former Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n athlete, writer, and current Mayor of the Gold Coast
Mayor of the Gold Coast
The Mayor of the City of the Gold Coast is presiding officer and public face of the Gold Coast City Council, the local government body of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The mayor is charged with representing the city council and is popularly elected by residents of the Gold Coast City local government...
. He is one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s, notable for setting seventeen world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
s.
Early life and family
He attended Melbourne High School. His brother Jack ClarkeJack E. Clarke
Jack E. Clarke was an Australian rules footballer and coach in the VFL. An Essendon and Victorian champion, Clarke was one of the premier midfielders of the VFL for well over a decade, leading the mighty Dons to the flag in 1962 when captain and also playing in the victorious 1965 side...
and father Tom
Tom Clarke (Australian rules footballer)
Thomas Clarke was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A wingman, Clarke won Essendon's best and fairest in 1931. He finished his career in the VFA with Brunswick. His son Ron went on to become an Olympic medalist in athletics and his other son Jack played 263 games...
played Australian rules football in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
with Essendon.http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1BZVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dZMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6204%2C2107874
In 1956, when Clarke was still a promising 19-year-old, he was chosen to light the Olympic Flame
Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...
in the stadium
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
during the opening ceremonies of the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
Athletic career
During the 1960s Clarke won 12 Victorian track championships ranging from 1500 m to 6 miles (9.7 km).He won the bronze medal in the 10,000 m at the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
, but never won an Olympic gold medal. At the 1968 Summer Olympics
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, Clarke collapsed and nearly died from altitude sickness sustained during the gruelling 10,000 m race final. He suffered permanent heart damage from this event, as despite training in the Alps to get acclimated to high altitudes at Mexico City, this could not put him on par with opponents from African countries, whom had always run at high altitude. Clarke finished in sixth place, but remembered nothing of the last lap. He sufficiently recovered to compete in the 5,000 meter heats a few days later.
In the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Perth, Western Australia, Australia from 22 November-1 December 1962. Athletic events were held at Perry Lakes Stadium in the suburb of Floreat and swimming events at Beatty Park in North Perth....
he won silver in the 3 miles (4.8 km) event, and in the 1966 Games
1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Kingston, Jamaica from 4 August to 13 August 1966. This was the first time that the Games had been held outside the so-called White Dominions....
he won silver medals in the 3 miles (4.8 km) and 6 miles (9.7 km) events. During a 44-day European tour in 1965, he competed 18 times and broke 12 world records, including the 20,000 m (12.4 miles). He lowered his own 10,000 m world record by 39 seconds to become the first man to break the 28 minute barrier, running a 27:39.4. To win against a field of kickers, Clarke needed a fast pace throughout or a sustained surge at the end. He improved his 2 miles (3.2 km) speed in 1967 and 1968, lowering Michel Jazy
Michel Jazy
Michel Jazy is a former French middle distance runner, who won the silver medal over 1500 metres at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. The race was won by Herb Elliott in a new world record time...
's world record by 3 seconds, running an 8:19.8 and then an 8:19.6.
Political career
He was elected MayorMayor of the Gold Coast
The Mayor of the City of the Gold Coast is presiding officer and public face of the Gold Coast City Council, the local government body of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The mayor is charged with representing the city council and is popularly elected by residents of the Gold Coast City local government...
of the Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
in 2004, defeating the incumbent Gary Baildon. Clarke and his wife, Helen, first came to the Gold Coast for a holiday in 1957. The couple returned almost every year thereafter, and in 1995, after 14 years abroad mainly in Europe, came back for good. As mayor, Clarke hopes to ensure the continuation of development and the infrastructure of the city, such as roads, transport, education and medical needs.
Awards and recognition
In 2005 Geelong Athletics honoured Clarke with an athletics meet to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Clarke breaking the world recordWorld record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
for the 20,000 m and one hour run at Landy Field in October 1965. This meet is held annually as part of the Athletics Australia
Athletics Australia
Athletics Australia is the National Sporting Organisation recognised by the Australian Sports Commission for the sport of athletics in Australia....
National Meet Series.
On 15 March 2006, Ron Clarke was one of the final four runners who carried the Queen's Baton
Queen's Baton Relay
The Queen's Baton Relay, similar to the Olympic Torch Relay, is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The Relay traditionally begins at Buckingham Palace in London...
around the MCG
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
stadium during the 2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
Opening Ceremony in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
See also
- Olympic medalists in athleticsOlympic medalists in athletics (men)This is the complete list of men's Olympic medalists in athletics from 1896 to 2008.- 100 metres :- 200 metres :- 400 metres :- 800 metres :- 1500 metres :- 5000 metres :- 10,000 metres :- Marathon :...
- Mayor of the Gold CoastMayor of the Gold CoastThe Mayor of the City of the Gold Coast is presiding officer and public face of the Gold Coast City Council, the local government body of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The mayor is charged with representing the city council and is popularly elected by residents of the Gold Coast City local government...
External links
- http://www.goldcoastcity.com.au/t_std.asp?PID=346
- Profile on Australian Athletics
- http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=153
- http://www.athletics.com.au/fanzone/hall_of_fame/ron_clarke
- http://www.arrs.net/AL_O2M3.htm