Shirley Gordon Olafsson (born Shirley Gordon; 10 April 1927 – 23 November 2019) was a Canadian

athlete An athlete (also sportsman or sportswoman) is a person who competes in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed, or endurance. Athletes may be professionals or amateurs. Most professional athletes have particularly well-devel ...

.Richmond remembers acclaimed athlete Shirley Olafsson
/ref> She competed in the women's high jump at the

1948 Summer Olympics The 1948 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XIV Olympiad and also known as London 1948) were an international multi-sport event held from 29 July to 14 August 1948 in London, England, United Kingdom. Following a twelve-year hiatus ca ...

tying for 11th place. 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. She married Herbert Olafsson, who was a member of the Canadian National Basketball team.

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BC Sports Hall of Fame The BC Sports Hall of Fame is a museum located in BC Place Stadium, at Gate A, the main entrance to the stadium, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It collects, preserves, studies and interprets materials that relate to British Columbia's spo ...

1927 births 2019 deaths Athletes (track and field) at the 1948 Summer Olympics Canadian female high jumpers Olympic track and field athletes for Canada Athletes (track and field) at the 1950 British Empire Games Commonwealth Games competitors for Canada Track and field athletes from Vancouver Canadian Track and Field Championships winners {{Canada-athletics-bio-stub