Gustavo Bodjedi Envela Mahua, known as Gus Envela Jr., is an Equatorial Guinean

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politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

and former sprinter, currently based in

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, United States.

Background and early life

Envela's father, Gustavo Envela-Makongo Sr., resigned as Equatorial Guinea's first ambassador to the

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in 1970 due to clashes with the Equatorial Guinean government. In 1970 the family, due to escalating political unrest in their native country, fled into exile and settled in

Salem, Oregon Salem ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County, Oregon, Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, w ...

. Growing up in Salem, Envela gained notoriety at an early age as a standout sprinter, setting several national age-group records. He attended Waldo Middle School and Douglas McKay High School. While at McKay, he set state records in the 100 (10.49 seconds), 200 (21.33) and the 400 meter dashes (46.78), and took first place in the state meet in each of those events from 1984 to 1986.

Sporting distinctions

Envela went on to run for

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during his freshman year of college.

Record participant in the Olympics as sprinter

Additionally, after becoming the first athlete to compete in the Olympic games for Equatorial Guinea in 1984, he went on to compete in a total of 4 games – 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996 – setting a record for appearances in the Olympics by a sprinter.

Political and other activities

After graduating from Stanford in 1990, instead of pursuing professional sports, he set his eyes on running for president of his native Equatorial Guinea with hopes of establishing freedom of speech, raising the standard of living and education. Envela scheduled his

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agenda with the help of lobbyist and onetime deputy

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legal counsel, Robert Kelley. In addition, Envela sought the advice of

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, ex-

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advisor. He also worked with Warren Weinstein who was once with the

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. Envela has recently been a consultant for Africa Global, a

–based organization whose past clients include the current Dictator-President of Equatorial Guinea,

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (; born 5 June 1942) is an Equatoguinean politician, former commissioned officer, military officer and dictator who has served as the second president of Equatorial Guinea since 1982. Previously, he was the Chairm ...

. Envela currently lives in

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, where he is president of

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. He and his wife Tomiko have two children including a daughter, their first born, Misako, as well as their second born Malaya. Misako is a senior in high school and is active in track like her father. Although his political aspirations seem to have been postponed, he has managed to hold his own in

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with cameo roles in movies such as ''

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'' and an appearance on the TV game show '' Wheel of Fortune''. He speaks native

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with

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and

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as his second languages.

References

External links

* *
''Former Oregon track star has eyes on political prize''
Associated Press
Oregon State High School Track Champions
{{DEFAULTSORT:Envela, Gus Jr. 1968 births Living people People from Bata, Equatorial Guinea Fang people Stanford University alumni Equatoguinean sportsperson-politicians Equatoguinean actor-politicians Equatoguinean writers Equatoguinean male writers Equatoguinean film actors Equatoguinean male sprinters Athletes (track and field) at the 1984 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1988 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1992 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1996 Summer Olympics Olympic athletes for Equatorial Guinea Equatoguinean emigrants Immigrants to the United States 21st-century Equatoguinean politicians