Francis James "Frank" Clement (born 26 April 1952 in Glasgow) is a retired Scottish athlete who competed in the 1500 metres. He was a member of Bellahouston Harriers and a graduate of Strathclyde University.

Clement was an Olympic 1500 m finalist coming fifth at the 1976 Games in Montreal in a time of 3:39.65. He was also fourth in the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

In 1973 Clement achieved success in the European Cup final which he won in a time of 3:40.8, defeating future Olympic bronze medalist Paul-Heinz Wellmann and 1974 European champion Klaus-Peter Justus. He also won the 1973 World Student Games (Universiade) 1500m in a time of 3:42.32 defeating the top American runner Tony Waldrop. Clement was a UK 1,500 metres and mile record holder in the 1970s and won the Emsley Carr Mile in 1973 and again in 1974. Clement also won the AAA 1,500 metres *le in 1972.

Clement improved the British record for 1,500 metres in 1974 to 3:37.4. He set British mile records of 3:54.95 in 1975 and 3:54.2 in 1978. Clement recorded his fastest time for 1,500 of 3:35.66 in 1978. His other personal bests included: 800 metres – 1:45.76; 1,000 metres - 2:19.81 (1975); 2,000 metres - 5:02.8 (1978).

After retiring from compe*ive athletics, Clement worked for 26 years for Glasgow City Council, where he was race director of the Glasgow Women's 10,000m.

References

• Nelson, Cordner and Quercentani, Roberto (1985): The Milers
• Phillips, Bob (2000): A History of Athletics at the Commonwealth Games
• Watman, Mel (1981): Encyclopedia of Track and Field Athletics
• Personal Bests
• British All-Time Lists:800 - 2,000 metres