Olympics 100m and Presidential Elections

[Historian]

This is really interesting stuff, although I am a bit surprised that the Gleaner ran it as its lead story. (Nothing is really wrong with this, of course, when one considers the elements of “prominence” and “conflict,” although that other news element of “proximity” often plays a major role when editorial decisions are made regarding front-page stories.)

100m winner might hold clue to US presidency - US VOTES Bolt to the finish

Published: Sunday | November 4, 2012

Romney, Obama look for edge at campaign's end

The clue to whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney will win the presidential battle come Tuesday may rest with the holder of the 100-metre sprint title.

Historically, the United States dominated the event. But since 1976, when Hasely Crawford of Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean sprinter to take home a gold medal, there has been a rivalry between American and Caribbean athletes.

American writer Edward McClelland recently did the checks and noted that in every year an American has won the Olympics 100 metres men's gold medal, a Republican has won that fall's presidential race.

In every year a runner born in the Caribbean has won, a Democrat has become president.

1976:

100-metre winner: Hasely Crawford, Trinidad and Tobago

Presidential winner: Jimmy Carter, Democrat

1980:

N/A: US boycotted the Olympics

1984:

100-metre winner: Carl Lewis, United States

Presidential winner: Ronald Reagan, Republican

1988:

100-metre winner: Carl Lewis, United States

Presidential winner: George Bush, Republican

1992:

100-metre winner: Linford Christie, Great Britain (born in Jamaica)

Presidential winner: Bill Clinton, Democrat

1996:

100-metre winner: Donovan Bailey, Canada (born in Jamaica)

Presidential winner: Bill Clinton, Democrat

2000:

100-metre winner: Maurice Greene, United States

Presidential winner: George W. Bush, Republican

2004:

100-metre winner: Justin Gatlin, United States

Presidential winner: George W. Bush, Republican

2008:

100-metre winner: Usain Bolt, Jamaica

Presidential winner: Barack Obama, Democrat

2012:

100-metre winner: Usain Bolt, Jamaica

Presidential winner: To be decided

[Mosiah]

Had Gatlin been disqualified as he should have been, Francis Obikwelu would have been declared the winner in 2004 and John Kerry would have been president.

sigh

[Historian]

LoL

Had Gatlin been disqualified as he should have been, Francis Obikwelu would have been declared the winner in 2004 and John Kerry would have been president.

sigh

Good one, boss, I love it!

[Exile]

It would be useful to cite the source of your article. Interesting correlations although would have helped if results went further back....Also, I notice you have not responded to my post on you asking me "whats wrong?" with me....

[Historian]

Re: Source

It would be useful to cite the source of your article. Interesting correlations although would have helped if results went further back....Also, I notice you have not responded to my post on you asking me "whats wrong?" with me....

I apologize, Exile.

I usually provide a link for my information, but this morning I didn’t because (a) I had already identified the source as The Gleaner (see my first sentence) and (b) the article’s dateline states, “Published: Sunday, November 4, 2012.”

Here is the Sunday Gleaner link for this article: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead1.html

It is now no longer the online lead story, as the regular updates have taken its original spot.

[Exile]

Thanks.