Olympic legend Billy Mills speaking in 2010. PUBLIC DOMAIN

This column appeared in the Arizona Daily Sun on July 15, 2004.

By Ed Odeven

Forty years later, Mills’ message still strong

Most Olympians fade from our collective memories just a few years after they captivate us with their extraordinary feats. But 40 years after winning an Olympic gold medal, Billy Mills is still a name people cannot forget.

The only individual from the Americas — North, South or Central — to win a 10,000-meter race at the Olympics, Billy Mills still matters.

That’s right. Mills is still a well-known figure. And it’s not just because he won a gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Games.

Mills is a tireless ambassador for good causes. He travels the nation for Running Strong for American Indian Youth and visits country after country (he’s been to 87 nations) delivering positive messages.

Many individuals can…