Jim Ryun is one of eight Olympians that will be featured in a Vox.com blog series called "Life after the Olympics," which will also profile medalists such as diver Greg Louganis, swimmer Donna de Varona, and sprinter-turned-activist John Carlos. 



Ryun's feature details the fall that kept him from the 1500m finals at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, which he said was one of the best things to happen to a kid who "felt like he was at the center of the universe."  The boy whose high school mile record stood 36 years (before Alan Webb broke it) would go on to serve five terms as a U.S. congressman and host camps nationwide for young runners. 

In the article, Ryun credits his faith and family as the reasons he was able to move beyond the devastating last-place finish at his final games. Like all of the athletes featured in the series, there were obstacles to overcome and demons to face before Ryun could begin his "life after the Olympics."  

Check out the feature on Ryun and seven other Olympians here.