Go, Coe!

Mom and Dad, when I grow up, I'd like to set the world's record in short distances. Then I'd like to become a member of Parliament. And then....and then, yeah, I'd like to head the committee that brings the Olympics to London. Sshhh, son, just dream about it. It's time to sleep.

And all that by age 48. Imagine the emotions in Sebastian Coe's household tonight. As a distance runner in the '80s, the undersigned could only sit back and admire the focused determination Britisher Coe brought to his task. Frankly, we never knew of his elective successes, but the fact of his resurfacing at a national leader makes us wonder about his future prospects. Global Spec reports:

"Coe set world records in the 800 meter and 1,000 meter races in 1981. His world record of 1:41.72 in the 800-meters remained unbeaten until August 1997 when it was broken by Wilson Kipketer. Coe returned to the Olympics in 1984. He took silver in the 800-meters and gold in the 1500-meters. The latter made him the only person to win the distance twice. Coe was appointed MBE in 1982 and OBE in 1990. Coe became member of Parliament for Falmouth and Camborne in 1992, for the Conservative Party, but lost his seat in the 1997 general election. He was created a (A British peer whose title lapses at death) life peer in 2000 as Baron Coe, of Ranmore in the County of Surrey."

Steve Goddard