Former Gold Coast mayor and Olympic medallist Ron Clarke dies, aged 78

LEGENDARY athlete and former Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has died on the Gold Coast early this morning after a short illness.

11/08/2010: 11/08/2010: Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke with the Gold Coast skyline in background. Pic. Adam Armstrong Pic. Adam Armstrong M8713549 Pic. Armstrong Adam M8713549

LEGENDARY athlete and former Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has died on the Gold Coast after a short illness.

Family this morning confirmed Mr Clarke, 78, died about 2am at the Allamanda Hospital in Southport.

Despite maintaining a strong fitness regimen throughout his life, Mr Clarke had been struggling with his health and was not as mobile after an accident since his retirement from public life in 2012.

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He was injured during a regular walk along the Broadwater about a year ago but his recent poor health was related to ongoing challenges with heart and kidney disease.

Mr Clarke was regarded as one of Australia’s best middle and long distance runners, setting 17 world records during the 1960s.

Mayor Ron Clarke was not only an incredible athlete but helped lead the Gold Coast and secure the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

But the race which the multi-world record holder is probably best remembered for was the 10,000m at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

Mr Clarke damaged his heart and was rescued by Australian team doctor Brian Corrigan as he collapsed after challenging for the lead.

“He hurt his heart in Mexico in 1968. It wasn’t until 1981 that it was properly diagnosed. It led to complications with his heart and kidneys,” a family friend said.

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Mr Clarke was Mayor of the Gold Coast for two terms from 2004. After stepping down from council he was unsuccessful running as an independent in the State seat of Broadwater in the 2012 State election.

One of Mr Clarke’s last major political achievements as mayor was to help secure the 2018 Commonwealth Games for the Coast.

Australia was popular among Commonwealth Games delegates but rival Hambantota was expected to have the edge leading into the final count in November 2011.

Former Premier Anna Bligh and former Mayor Ron Clarke celebrate the Gold Coast winning the 2018 Commonwealth Games

A former Commonweath Games legend with long term friendships, Mr Clarke convinced old mates to support the Coast bid leading to a final winning vote of 43-27.

Last year as he reflected in his retirement on the progress of the Games, he said he had wished to have had the chance to compete at home.

Ron Clarke back in his competitive running days.

“It’s a huge benefit to have your own supporters. And it’s normal to feel comfortable when you have your own routine. I wished I could have performed at home when I was a competitor,” he said.

Mr Clarke is survived by his wife Helen, sons Nicolas and Marcus and grandchildren Natasha and Sebastian. His daughter Monique, 49, died in 2009.

Mrs Clarke yesterday requested privacy and declined to comment as the family contacted friends and relatives. Arrangements have yet to be made for a funeral service.
He set 17 world records including 12 during a remarkable 44-day tour of Europe in 1965, nine years after he had been invited as a 19-year-old to light the Olympic flame at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Born in Melbourne, his father Tom played football for Essendon and was followed by Clarke’s older brother Jack who became a legend of the club, making the Clarke brothers one of Australia’s most famous sporting families.

Clarke competed at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympics but only returned with bronze from the 10,000 metres in 1964.

That was later corrected when the great Czech runner Emil Zatopek, in an amazing gesture, gave one of his four Olympic Gold medals to Clarke, “not out of friendship but because you deserve it”.

Clarke will also be remembered for being at the centre of one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship.

As the 1956 Games approached, Australia was pinning its hopes on a lanky 1500m runner called John Landy.

He was already the world mile record holder when he took part in the mile at the national titles in Melbourne.

A young Clarke, the junior national 1500m champion, fell with two laps remaining, and Landy was forced to hurdle his fallen comrade. Landy’s spikes clipped Clarke.

With Clarke prostrate on the track, Landy turned to check if his mate was okay and to say sorry. When Clarke said he was fine, Landy rejoined the race but was some 40m from his rivals.

In a mind-boggling display, Landy caught the rest of the field and won. It is still labelled as one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship ever seen.

The moment has been immortalised in bronze with a sculpture watching over the entrance to Melbourne’s sporting precinct at the corner of Swan St and Punt Rd.