Wilhelm Blystad

Wilhelm Blystad was an all-round athlete who won five Norwegian Championships: three in pentathlon (1900, 1902, 1904), and one each in the high jump and 110 m hurdles (both 1902). He did not compete in athletics in 1905-07, but entered the four Norwegian Olympic selection competitions in May 1908 with success, achieving Norwegian records in standing high jump (1.435) and standing long jump (3.105), and placing second in the 110 metre hurdles. At the London Olympics he fell in his 110 hurdle heat and finished eighth in the standing high jump. He later concentrated on organizational sport, becoming the first chairman of the Oslo Sport Council from 1917-24.

Blystad was also an active politician, as a member of the Oslo City Council 1917-28. In 1906 he established his own textile factory, Blystad Fabrikker, which employed over 100 people in the 1930s. After Wilhelm’s death in 1954, his son took over as the new factory manager.

Personal Bests: 110H – 16.2 (1908); sHJ – 1.435 (1908).