Shirley Olafsson shares the Olympic experience
Born with a club foot, Shirley Olafsson still managed to compete in high jump against able-bodied athletes at the 1948 Olympics, and has shared her experience with locals ever since.
One of just 10 Canadians to carry the 2008 Paralympic torch in Beijing, Olafsson gave 3,400 local elementary students the chance to share in Olympic glory by giving each a chance to run a with the torch.
Olafsson, 85, won an Ethel Tibbits Sports Award Friday, recognizing her sporting achievements and volunteer efforts in coaching grade 6 and 7 girls in track and field, basketball and curling.
The Richmond woman has been twice inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame—once as an athlete and once as a Canadian championship basketball team member.
Also nominated: Debbie Pyne.
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