They excelled in sports, they won Olympic medals, became popular. Dozens of athletes and sportswomen from almost all countries of the world entered the political arena, hanging out their champion suits. Their confession was bait for party associations and helped in their election.

Some of them have done work. Most, however, limited themselves to short passes from the stands, since it is one thing to compete with an opponent of measure, time or scale, and another to compete for people with much more difficult opponents.

One of the first Olympians to enter the political arena was John Boland. In 1896 he won two gold medals in tennis, singles and doubles.

Elected member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1900 to 1918. Lord Gretton won two gold medals in sailing (1900) before serving 46 years as a British MP. More than ten British Olympians and Paralympians entered politics, some of them became ministers, etc.

His case is typical. Colin Moynihan, “silver” Olympic medalistrowing (1980), who as Sports Minister (1987-1990) in the Thatcher government associated his name with anti-hooliganism efforts. Sebastian Coe, current president of the World Athletics Federation and Olympic champion in the 1500m, was also a member of the British Parliament.

Medals and political scandals

The political career has also been a magnet for many French Olympians. Only from the Ministry of Sports since 1980, six athletes have risen to the Olympic podium. His name stands out on the Italian political scene. Pietro Meneas.

The “legend” of sprints was elected for a four-year term, after which it was not possible to be re-elected. The lead canoeist’s tenure was also short-lived. Joseph Edem. The Italian, originally from Germany, was elected in 2013 to the Ministry of Sports, but resigned a few months later after a financial scandal.

Less than a year he was the Minister of Sports and Youth of Romania. Gabriela Sambo. The winner of three Olympic medals in the 1500m and 5000m has found that the political arena is more difficult than the sports arena.

Wrestler Jean Vensanovich Beleniuk he’s one of the athletes who has… double careers. In 2019, he became the first black member of the Ukrainian parliament, and in 2021 he climbed to the top of the podium at the Olympic Games in the 85 kg category, preceded by a silver medal in the Rio competition.

To the Ukrainian Olympians-politicians, one should add, in particular, the owner of five Olympic medals in athletics Valeriy Borzhov, the “King of the Ethers”. Sergey Bubka“golden” Olympic fencing champion Vadim Gudzeit, boxer Viktor Savchenko, swimmer Denis Siladiyev and others.

OUR Russia since the days of the USSR, he has invested in sports. Dozens of its champions took to the stands. Leading Modern Wrestler, Alexander Karelin (three golds, one silver at the Olympics).

A personal friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin from 1999 to the present day, he is in the political … arena. In fact, he was also sanctioned by the UK in 2022 for supporting Russia in the war with Ukraine. She was also an MP Alina Kabaeva, an Olympian in rhythmic gymnastics in Athens and a particularly good friend of Vladimir Putin. “Golden” fencer Pavel Kolombkov was also the Deputy Minister of Sports.

Dmitry Shautin (diving), Olympic figure skating champion Anton Sikharulitsa, Olympic biathlete Sergei Chepikov and others have linked their names with politics.

In 2004, at the Olympic Weightlifting Center in Nice, Georgy Asanitze won a gold medal in the 85 kg category, immediately after that he was elected to the Georgian Parliament, and in 2008 the people of his country expressed a vote of confidence in him. He then moved on to the thing that established him: weightlifting. He became a coach in the Georgian national team.

There’s a lot of his Olympians and Paralympians Canada who have played or are playing an active role in politics. They usually come from rowing, ice hockey, athletics, curling and canoeing. Among them is the “gold” Olympic medalist of Athens in canoeing and kayaking, Adam Van Keverden, who works in the Canadian House of Commons.

The list of American Olympians and Paralympians involved in politics is… endless.

David Albiton (2nd in 1936 in the high jump) was an early political athlete and was even elected to the Ohio House of Representatives for six terms. Ralph Metcalfe (Olympic champion in athletics in 1936) and Jim Rown (2nd place in 1500 in 1968) were elected to Congress along with the Democrats, and basketball “stars” also tried to make a career in the political arena, baseball, etc. .

The championship in politics, as in figure skating, is done Seiko Hashimoto. A Japanese woman is a minister of state and was in charge of the 2021 Olympic Games.

Without an Olympic medal, but with participation in the 1976 competition (shooting), he is the former Prime Minister of Japan. Tarot Ace. Paralympic swimming champion (23 medals) Matt Cowdrey has also made a political career in Australia.