William Richard OLSON

Billy Olson was a pole vaulter who was considered one of the greatest indoor vaulters of the 1980s, but he never translated that success outdoors. He competed for Abilene Christian University. Between 1982-86 Olson set 11 world indoor records in the pole vault, including February 1983 when he cleared 5.80 metres at a meet in Toronto, the first clearance of 19-feet or more indoors.

Olson’s best outdoor international result was a bronze at the 1981 World Cup. He was US Champion in 1981-82, twice finishing second, and three times third. He set two American records outdoors, in March and June 1982, and that year he was world ranked #1. Olson was inducted into the Texas Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012.

Personal Best: PV – 5.93i (1986).