Dave Bolen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Bolen
Dave Bolen, 1979
United States Ambassador to East Germany
In office August 22, 1977 – June 20, 1980
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	John Sherman Cooper
Succeeded by	Herbert S. Okun
United States Ambassador to Lesotho
In office April 25, 1974 – August 11, 1976
President	Richard Nixon Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Charles J. Nelson
Succeeded by	Donald R. Norland
United States Ambassador to Swaziland
In office April 22, 1974 – August 11, 1976
President	Richard Nixon Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Charles J. Nelson
Succeeded by	Donald R. Norland
United States Ambassador to Botswana
In office April 11, 1974 – August 11, 1976
President	Richard Nixon Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Charles J. Nelson
Succeeded by	Donald R. Norland
Personal details
Born	David Benjamin Bolen (1923-12-23)December 23, 1923 Heflin, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	December 10, 2022(2022-12-10) (aged 98) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Spouse	Betty L. Gayden ​ (m. 1949)​
Children	3
Alma mater	Southern University University of Colorado Boulder Harvard University
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Army Air Corps
Years of service	1943–1946

David Benjamin Bolen (December 23, 1923 – December 10, 2022) was an American athlete, diplomat, and businessman. He was an Olympian who competed in track and field. Later, he became an ambassador for the United States in several countries.

About David Bolen

David Bolen was born in Heflin, Louisiana. He lived from 1923 to 2022. He was known for his speed and talent in running. This talent helped him achieve many great things in his life.

His Olympic Journey

David Bolen competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. He ran in the 400-meter race. He finished fourth in the final. This was a great achievement for him.

Bolen once said that the Olympics is not just about training. He believed you need natural talent. He also felt you should use your talent to help yourself and others. He first found his speed during an Easter egg hunt as a child. He later decided to use his running skills to get a college education.

Education and Military Service

Bolen went to Southern University in New Orleans. He then served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he was recruited by the University of Colorado Boulder. He graduated from there in 1950. He was the first Olympic athlete to come from that university.

Becoming a Diplomat

After his sports career, Bolen worked for the United States Department of State. This is the part of the U.S. government that handles relationships with other countries.

Ambassador to African Nations

In 1974, President Richard Nixon chose Bolen to be an ambassador. He served as ambassador to three countries at once: Swaziland (now Eswatini), Lesotho, and Botswana. He lived in Gaborone, Botswana, during this time.

Ambassador to East Germany

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Bolen as the U.S. Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic. This country was part of the "Iron Curtain." The Iron Curtain was a political barrier that divided Europe during the Cold War. East Germany was a communist country.

Bolen was the first African-American to serve as an ambassador to a nation behind the Iron Curtain. He served in this role until 1980. As ambassador, he helped prepare for the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall divided East and West Berlin. It came down on November 9, 1989. On that day, Bolen's daughter, Cynthia, was seen giving a rose to a guard on the wall. He also worked to help free Nelson Mandela from prison. Mandela was a famous leader in South Africa.

Competition Results

Here are David Bolen's results from the 1948 Olympics:

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  United States
1948	Olympics	London, United Kingdom	4th	400 m	47.2