Trivia

Won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1948 Olympic Games in London and then won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, thus making him the first athlete to win consecutive titles in this event.

In 1954, Mathias and his ex-wife Melba Mathias, then married for 8 months, appeared together on the TV show, You Bet Your Life (1950), which was hosted by Groucho Marx. They won the semi-finals, but missed the $1,500.00 question.

Member of the US House of Representatives from California, 3 January 1967 - 3 January 1975.

Served in the United States Marine Corps.

Played himself in the lowbudget film bio of himself, The Bob Mathias Story (1954).

Was the youngest gold medalist for track and fields at the Olympics in London.

Inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1974 (inaugural induction).

Director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center, 1977-1985.

Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, 1983 (charter member).

Deputy director of the Selective Service, 6 June 1975 - 11 August 1975.

Served as a full-time consultant to the President's Council on Physical Fitness.

Popular athlete who began competing in track and field in high school and won the national championship for the decathlon in 1948.

Played football at Stanford University.

Won 4 American decathlon championships going on to become one of the world's most honoured athletes.