12 April,2011 08:03 AM IST | | Agencies
Track star Carl Lewis is running again. This time the prize is a New Jersey state Senate seat and not an Olympic gold medal.
Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist from 1984-1996, is expected to announce later today that he'll seek the state Senate seat that covers Burlington County, New Jersey, where he lives.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing an unnamed Democratic source, said "all indications are that he'll run".
Lewis, 50, issued a news release saying he'll announce "my political decision" at the Old County Courthouse in Mount Holly. He would face GOP state senator Dawn Addiego.
Apparently, there is something in the water in this part of the Garden State that prompts former athletes to run for political office.
Former Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jon Runyan, a Republican, now holds the congressional seat.u00a0
Golden track star
Carl Lewis gained international fame in 1984, when he won four gold medals at the Los Angeles Olympics. He went on to win two golds and a silver at the 1988 Seoul Olympics (in pic), two golds at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and one gold for the long jump at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics the last one he competed in.
His world record in the indoor long jump has stood since 1984 and his 65 consecutive victories in the long jump achieved over a span of 10 years is one of the sport's longest undefeated streaks.
Athlete-Netas
Wrestler Jesse 'The Body' Ventura had a successful career as a wrestler in the WWF before he stood for elections and was voted the mayor of small town in the US. He later went on to become the governor of Minnesota.
Former NFL's Philadelphia Eagles offensive linesman, Jon Runyan, won a seat in the House of Representatives in New Jersey's 3rd District. He stood for the Republicans
Sri Lanka's World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga joined Chandrika Kumaratunga's party after retiring from cricket. He went on to hold the post of Deputy Minister of Tourism.
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All-rounder Kirti Azad, who was a member of the 1983 World Cup winning squad, joined the BJP and became a Member of Parliament. He was elected from Darbhanga, Bihar and served two terms as MP
Mohammed Azharuddin went on to win the Moradabad, UP, seat for the Congress in the 2009 general elections.
Did you know?
Lewis turnedu00a0 vegan in 1990