Footballer George Weah And Other Athletes Who Turned To Politics
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A Goal For Government
Liberia's new president George Weah knows his way around a mine field just as well as a football field — he used to be a striker for AC Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Here's a look at other athletes who turned to politics. (AFP)
Here's a look at other athletes who turned to politics. (AFP)
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Sebastian Coe
Athletics
Coe is a former track and field athlete with four Olympic medals in the 1500 metres in both the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Games. His record in parliament is good too — he was a member of the British parliament from 1992 to 1997 for Falmouth in Cornwall. Coe was at the forefront when the United Kingdom made their bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, and was chairman of the British Olympic Association for the Olympic Games in 2012.
Quotable Quotes: "This is the crossroads. What do I want out of this? I want a sport I can again trust. I can put these systems in place. But returning trust to the sport is going to be a longer journey."
Coe is a former track and field athlete with four Olympic medals in the 1500 metres in both the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Games. His record in parliament is good too — he was a member of the British parliament from 1992 to 1997 for Falmouth in Cornwall. Coe was at the forefront when the United Kingdom made their bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, and was chairman of the British Olympic Association for the Olympic Games in 2012.
Quotable Quotes: "This is the crossroads. What do I want out of this? I want a sport I can again trust. I can put these systems in place. But returning trust to the sport is going to be a longer journey."
3/7
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bodybuilder
The former professional bodybuilder, who won the Mr Universe and Mr Olympia titles multiple times, was elected as California's Governor in 2003. Before that, Schwarzenegger also enjoyed a successful Hollywood career. He retained the governor's seat till 2011. During his term, the actor-sports star did not accept his salary as governor, saying that he has "enough wealth" from his acting career.
Quotable Quotes: "I am a salesman by nature. And now most of my energies will go into selling California. If I can sell tickets to my movies, you know I can sell just about anything. California is the easiest sell I've ever had."
The former professional bodybuilder, who won the Mr Universe and Mr Olympia titles multiple times, was elected as California's Governor in 2003. Before that, Schwarzenegger also enjoyed a successful Hollywood career. He retained the governor's seat till 2011. During his term, the actor-sports star did not accept his salary as governor, saying that he has "enough wealth" from his acting career.
Quotable Quotes: "I am a salesman by nature. And now most of my energies will go into selling California. If I can sell tickets to my movies, you know I can sell just about anything. California is the easiest sell I've ever had."
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Romario
Footballer
The former Brazilian footballer, who helped his team win the 1994 World Cup, was elected in 2010 to the Chamber of Deputies. In the 2014 general elections, Romario was elected to the Brazilian senate with the most votes ever received by a candidate representing the state of Rio de Janeiro. (AFP)
Quotable Quotes: "Today, a boy from the slums goes down in history as a senator of the republic."
The former Brazilian footballer, who helped his team win the 1994 World Cup, was elected in 2010 to the Chamber of Deputies. In the 2014 general elections, Romario was elected to the Brazilian senate with the most votes ever received by a candidate representing the state of Rio de Janeiro. (AFP)
Quotable Quotes: "Today, a boy from the slums goes down in history as a senator of the republic."
5/7
Imran Khan
Cricketer
The former Pakistani cricket captain founded his political party in 1996. He contested an assembly seat in the 1997 Pakistani general election from two constituencies, Mianwali and Lahore, but lost both. In 2002, Khan again contested for a seat in the National Assembly and served as an opposition member from Mianwali until 2007. The 65-year-old was elected to the parliament again in the 2013 elections, when his party emerged as the second largest in Pakistan by popular vote.
Quotable Quotes: "If I was a materialist, I would be making lots of money doing endorsements, doing cricket commentary. I have no interest in that."
The former Pakistani cricket captain founded his political party in 1996. He contested an assembly seat in the 1997 Pakistani general election from two constituencies, Mianwali and Lahore, but lost both. In 2002, Khan again contested for a seat in the National Assembly and served as an opposition member from Mianwali until 2007. The 65-year-old was elected to the parliament again in the 2013 elections, when his party emerged as the second largest in Pakistan by popular vote.
Quotable Quotes: "If I was a materialist, I would be making lots of money doing endorsements, doing cricket commentary. I have no interest in that."
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Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
Shooter
The 2004 Olympic silver medallist is the current Indian sports minister. Rathore was the first Indian to win a medal in an individual sport in the Olympics. In 2013, he retired from the Indian Army as a colonel and joined politics. In 2014, Rathore won a Lok Sabha seat from the Jaipur Rural constituency. He was earlier Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting before getting charge of the sports and youth affair ministry.
Quotable Quotes: "I firmly believe that a country with 1.25 billion population has the capability of producing 100 Usain Bolts."
The 2004 Olympic silver medallist is the current Indian sports minister. Rathore was the first Indian to win a medal in an individual sport in the Olympics. In 2013, he retired from the Indian Army as a colonel and joined politics. In 2014, Rathore won a Lok Sabha seat from the Jaipur Rural constituency. He was earlier Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting before getting charge of the sports and youth affair ministry.
Quotable Quotes: "I firmly believe that a country with 1.25 billion population has the capability of producing 100 Usain Bolts."
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Manny Pacquiao
Boxer
The boxer currently serves as a Senator in the Philippines. Pacquiao has won 11 major world titles and is the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes. In May 2010, the 39-year-old was elected to the House of Representatives and was re-elected in 2013. In 2016, he was elected as senator for a term of six years. (AP)
Quotable Quotes: "I've already established my [political] machinery. It's like a car. It's fixed already. You just have to get in and drive it."
The boxer currently serves as a Senator in the Philippines. Pacquiao has won 11 major world titles and is the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes. In May 2010, the 39-year-old was elected to the House of Representatives and was re-elected in 2013. In 2016, he was elected as senator for a term of six years. (AP)
Quotable Quotes: "I've already established my [political] machinery. It's like a car. It's fixed already. You just have to get in and drive it."
