WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Friday presented one of the nation’s highest civilian honors to Jim Ryun, a former Republican congressman and the first U.S.
high schooler to break the 4-minute barrier in running the mile. Ryun was the 1968 Olympic silver medalist in the 1,500-meter run and is a three-time Olympian.
Trump presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony at the White House, calling him a “Legendary athlete and legendary runner."In announcing the award, the White House described Ryun, 73, as one of the most accomplished American runners in history.Ryun noted that he was cut from several athletic teams as a youth but found his calling while running on the track team at Wichita East High School.