Oscar Olsen Illinois Strength and Power HoF inductee 2023

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

Oscar G. Olson (Oskar Gustave Olson)*

10/7/1875-1962**

1904 Olympic Team

 

Oscar finished 4^th in the two-handed weightlifting event at the 1904 Olympics. Also, Oscar won a gold medal in the Tug of War, a track and field event at the time.  There were no formal weightlifting contests during his era. Weightlifting was not an organized sport in 1904.

 

Born in Oslo, Norway***, Oscar came to the United States in 1881. He was a long-time member of the Sleipner Athletic Club, organized in 1894 in Chicago, also known as the Norwegian-American Athletic Association. While a member, Oscar won several State and National Championships in various events. Oscar was an all-around athlete in track and field, wrestling, swimming, and several other sports.

 

Oscar was a machinist for a printing press company. He was naturalized as an American Citizen in 1942. Oscar remained in Chicago until he died in 1962 at 86 years old.

 

Weightlifting at the 1904 Olympics - Physical Culture Study

 

 

***Some claim Oscar was born in the US. 

**10/7/1878-1963

*Oscar G. Olsen. Olson and Olsen are used.

 

 

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Thu Jun 15 18:26:44 UTC 2023 | Last Updated: Thu Dec 28 14:33:19 UTC 2023