Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on indulgence: I do wish to inform the House that today we mourn the loss of a true gentleman of Australian sport, Ron Clarke, who embodied the very best of sportsmanship.

As members of a certain age might remember, at 19 years old he was chosen to light the Olympic flame at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Ron represented Australia at two Olympics and at three Commonwealth Games and over almost a decade on the international circuit he broke 17 world records. From 1965 to 1972 he held every world record for middle-distance running, a feat unmatched by any other athlete.

But it was Ron Clarke's sportsmanship that defined his running career, a trait which he shared with his great contemporary, John Landy, who famously stopped mid-race to ask Ron if Ron were okay after a fall. Many Australians have been told the story of that race, and that race made Ron and John part of the Australian sporting pantheon.

He was honoured many times. He was an Australian and an international sportsman of the year. He was awarded an MBE and an Order of Australia. He was a successful businessman and author, and served as Mayor of the Gold Coast from 2004 until 2012. To Ron's wife, Helen, and their family I offer the sincere condolences of this parliament and the Australian people.

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