Bob Mathias facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Mathias
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 18th district
In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1975
Preceded by	Harlan Hagen
Succeeded by	William M. Ketchum
Personal details
Born	Robert Bruce Mathias (1930-11-17)November 17, 1930 Tulare, California, U.S.
Died	September 2, 2006(2006-09-02) (aged 75) Fresno, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Melba Mathias (1954–1976) Gwen Haven Alexander (1977–2006)
Education	Stanford University (BA)
Bob Mathias Personal information Height 190 cm Weight 92 kg Sport Sport Athletics Event(s) Decathlon Club Olympic Club, San Francisco; Stanford Cardinal Achievements and titles Personal best(s) 100 m – 10.8 (1952) 400 m – 50.2 (1952) 110 mH – 13.8 (1952) HJ – 1.90 m (1952) PV – 4.00 m (1952) LJ – 7.15 m (1952) SP – 15.82 m (1953) DT – 52.83 m (1951) JT – 62.20 m (1952) Dec – 7592 (1952) Medal record Representing the  United States Summer Olympics Gold 1948 London Decathlon Gold 1952 Helsinki Decathlon

Robert Bruce Mathias (born November 17, 1930 – died September 2, 2006) was an amazing American athlete, soldier, actor, and politician. He was best known for winning two Olympic gold medals in the Decathlon, a tough track and field event. He also served in the United States Marine Corps and later became a Congressman for California.

A Young Olympic Champion

Bob Mathias was born in Tulare, California. He went to Tulare Union High School. There, his track coach, Virgil Jackson, suggested he try the decathlon. This event combines ten different track and field challenges.

In 1948, right after high school, Mathias made the U.S. Olympic team. He went to the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. He was very new to the decathlon rules. He almost messed up in the shot put and high jump.

But Bob worked hard and used his skills in the pole vault and javelin. He managed to win the gold medal! At just 17 years old, he became the youngest male gold medalist in track and field history.

Continuing His Athletic Journey

After his first Olympic win, Bob kept training. In 1948, he won the James E. Sullivan Award. This award goes to the best amateur athlete in the U.S. He spent a year at The Kiski School to improve his grades.

Then, in 1949, he went to Stanford University. He played college football there for two years. In 1950, he set his first world record in the decathlon.

In 1952, Bob Mathias played in the Rose Bowl. This was the first college football game shown on national TV. He was the first person to compete in both the Olympics and the Rose Bowl in the same year.

After graduating from Stanford in 1953, Bob joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for two and a half years and became a captain.

Defending His Olympic Title

At the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, Bob Mathias proved he was one of the best athletes ever. He won the decathlon again. He set a new world record and won by a huge amount of points.

He was the first person to win the Olympic decathlon title twice in a row. When he came back to the U.S., he was a national hero. After these Olympics, Bob stopped competing in sports.

Later, from 1977 to 1983, he became the first director of the United States Olympic Training Center. This center helps prepare athletes for the Olympics.

Life After Sports

Bob Mathias also had a short career as an actor. In 1954, he and his first wife, Melba, appeared on a TV show called You Bet Your Life. They also starred as themselves in a movie called The Bob Mathias Story.

He acted in other movies and TV shows in the 1950s. One of his roles was Frank Dugan in the TV series The Troubleshooters. He also played the Greek hero Theseus in an Italian movie called Minotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete.

Serving in Politics

From 1967 to 1975, Bob Mathias served in the United States House of Representatives. He was a Republican and represented a part of California. During this time, Ronald Reagan was the governor of California.

He won his first election against a long-serving politician. He was re-elected three more times. In 1974, the areas he represented changed. He lost his re-election bid that year.

After leaving Congress, Bob Mathias continued to be involved in public service. He worked for the Selective Service System for a short time in 1975.

Later Life and Legacy

Bob Mathias was diagnosed with cancer in 1996. He passed away on September 2, 2006, in Fresno, California, at the age of 75. He is buried in Tulare, California. He was survived by his wife Gwen, his daughters Romel, Megan, and Marissa, and his son Reiner. He also had stepchildren.

Bob Mathias's high school stadium in Tulare was renamed in his honor. In 1998, a special dinner was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first Olympic medal. Many Olympic athletes attended to honor him.

Key Moments in Bob Mathias's Life

• 1930: Bob Mathias was born on November 17.
• 1948: At age 17, he graduated from high school. He won the National Decathlon Championship. He then won a gold medal in the decathlon at the Summer Olympics in London, England. He received the James E. Sullivan Award as America's top amateur athlete.
• 1949: He won the National Decathlon Championship again. He started attending Stanford University.
• 1950: He won his third National Decathlon Championship.
• 1952: He played football for Stanford in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. He won his second Olympic gold medal in the decathlon at Helsinki, Finland, setting a new world record.
• 1953: He graduated from Stanford and joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
• 1954: He married his first wife, Melba. They starred in the movie The Bob Mathias Story.
• 1954–1960: He traveled to many countries as America's Good Will Ambassador. He also began his acting career.
• 1966: He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican. He served four terms.
• 1974: He lost his re-election bid. He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
• 1976: Bob and Melba divorced.
• 1977: He was appointed director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He married Gwen Haven Alexander.
• 1983: He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
• 1996: Doctors found a cancerous tumor in his throat.
• 2006: Bob Mathias passed away on September 2.

Film Roles

See also

In Spanish: Bob Mathias para niños