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Robert Eugene Richards (February 20, 1926 – February 26, 2023) was an American athlete, minister, and politician. He made three U.S. Olympic Teams in two events: the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only male two-time champion in the event in Olympic history.
While still an active athlete, Richards became an ordained minister. He ran for President of the United States in 1984 on the Populist Party ticket.
While Richards is known for his extraordinary athleticism, that led to his appearing for many years on "Wheaties" cereal boxes and as a result, he became the "face" of that cereal for many years, particularly during the 1960s. Such recognition is rarely seen during this millennium.