Shirley Gordon Olafsson

Shirley Gordon Olafsson (born Shirley Gordon;[1] 10 April 1927 – 23 November 2019) was a Canadian athlete.[2] She competed in the women's high jump at the 1948 Summer Olympics tying for 11th place.[3][4]

Shirley Gordon Olafsson
Personal information
NationalityCanadian
Born(1927-04-10)10 April 1927
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Died23 November 2019(2019-11-23) (aged 92)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)High jump

Gordon was born with a deformed left foot. She walked with a limp and used crutches until she was 13. Unable to compete in team sports, she taught herself the high jump. She joined a track club after a friend who was invited insisted that they admit Shirley as well.[4] She married Herbert Olafsson, who was a member of the Canadian National Basketball team.[4]

References
  1. Beck, Jason (14 October 2011). "Olympian with 'turned foot' made history". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  2. Richmond remembers acclaimed athlete Shirley Olafsson
  3. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Shirley Gordon Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  4. Hawthorn, Tom (30 April 2019). "Widow, 84, didn't let disability stop her from reaching Olympics". Retrieved 11 May 2019.

Shirley Olaffson on the BC Sports Hall of Fame

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