CLEVELAND, Ohio - "The Iron Horse," Lou Gehrig, was the first athlete whose likeness graced a box of Wheaties, the "Breakfast of Champions." But the Vaulting Vicar, the Rev. Bob Richards, the only two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist, was the first on the front of the box and its first national spokesman.
Olympians in those days of enforced amateurism were true symbols of self-sacrifice and dedication.
10,000 hours
In 2006, when I was writing a book on 2004 Olympic pole vault champion Tim Mack of Westlake and St. Ignatius High School, Richards said of his endorsement, "A bowl of Wheaties every day and 10,000 hours of practice will make you a champion.