Jón Ólafsson

During his career Icelandic track and field athlete Jón Ólafsson set 30 national records in jumping events, specialising in the high jump. In 1961 Ólafsson set a world youth record with 1.70 metres, followed by a Nordic indoor record of 2.11 metres a year later. He excelled in the sport during the early 1960s and was named Athlete of the Year by the Icelandic Sports Reporters Association in 1963. In 1965 he cleared 2.10 metres outdoors, setting an Icelandic record that stood for 22 years. Ólafsson also competed at the Olympics in 1964 and 1968, and the European Championships in both 1962 and 1966. Away from sport Ólafsson worked for several organisations during his life including the Icelandic Fish Market Authority, the Marine Products Production Inspection, the Directorate of Fisheries, and the Food and Veterinary Authority.

Personal Best: HJ – 2.11i (1962).