Columba Blango (politician) facts for kids

Columba Blango was born on April 23, 1956. He is from Sierra Leone and later became a British citizen. He is known for being both a talented athlete and a politician.

Columba Blango: An Olympic Athlete

Columba Blango was a skilled athlete. He competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics in a tough event called the decathlon.

What is a Decathlon?

A decathlon is like a super-challenge for athletes. It involves competing in ten different track and field events over two days. These events include running, jumping, and throwing. It takes a lot of skill and endurance to do well in a decathlon!

Columba Blango: A Public Servant

After his sports career, Columba Blango moved to the United Kingdom. There, he decided to help his community by becoming a politician.

Serving as a Councillor

In the UK, Columba Blango became a local politician. He was elected as a councillor for the Liberal Democrat party. Councillors work to make decisions for their local area, like improving parks or public services.

Becoming Mayor of Southwark

Columba Blango also served as the Mayor of Southwark. The mayor is a leader for a local area, helping to represent the community and oversee local government. It's an important role in serving the people.

Running for Parliament

Later, Columba Blango wanted to help people on a bigger scale. He ran to become a member of the UK Parliament. This means he wanted to represent his local area, Camberwell and Peckham, in the national government. He stood in the 2010 United Kingdom general election. Although he gained more votes for his party, he was not elected that time.

A Family of Athletes

Columba Blango's son, who is also named Columba Blango, followed in his father's athletic footsteps. His son is a talented paralympian.

Paralympic Success

Columba Blango's son won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. This is a huge achievement and shows that athletic talent runs in the family!