Vilhjálmur Einarsson

Vilhjálmur Einarsson was the first Icelandic athlete to win an Olympic medal in any sport, which he did with his silver medal in the 1956 Olympic triple jump. Einarsson studied in the United States at Dartmouth College, later attending graduate school in pedagogy and teaching at the University of Göteborg in Sweden in 1974-75 and 1990-93.

As an athlete Einarsson competed three times at the European Championships, with a bronze medal in 1958, a sixth place in 1962, and not making the final in 1954. He set numerous Icelandic records in the triple jump and also held one in the long jump. Einarsson finished third in the long jump at the 1956 Heptagonals. His son, Einar Vilhjálmsson, was a javelin thrower who competed at three Olympics and was an NCAA Champion in 1983-84 while representing the University of Texas.

Vilhjálmur Einarsson’s career was as a teacher. He was the head teacher of the Egilsstadir High School from the founding of the school in 1979 until 2001. After 2001 he taught mostly part-time and also formed a publishing company, To The East. Einarson was a 5-time Icelandic Athlete of the Year. He was given the Knights Cross of the Icelandic Falcon for his contributions in sports and education.

Personal Bests: LJ – 7.46 (1957); TJ – 16.70 (1960).