"Has held" would mean he still holds it. That is the present perfect tense*. It is only used when something is still happening.
"I have held the course record for the last 19 years," means I still hold the record.
If it was a former record, I would have to write, "I held the course record for 19 years."
The present perfect tense in English combines elements of both the present and the past to express actions or situations that have a connection to the present.
😂 Sorry. Seems the OP is indeed wrong. I'm not expert on this shyt.
But Ryun was amazing!!
(Too bad about his politics.)
You guys can downvote ^ his record all you want, but feel free to look up his record on the environment with supporting bills like drilling in The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Just look it up.
He was an incredible athlete, I can't say that enough but he was not saving the world the way Bannister was in his career.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Jim Ryun. I have no issue with him whatsoever.
Now dont' shoot the messenger, but Ryun isn't even the best "jim" in running history. James Percival Lightbody, the TRUE pioneer of our sport, and his THRE olympic gold medals, will always be more impressive than some college kid with his ZeRO olmpic wins.. .