Vic Olsson Explained

Vic Olsson
Birth Name:Andre Victor Olsson
Birth Date:28 August 1903
Birth Place:Picton, New Zealand
Occupation:Carpenter[1]
Height:6feet[2]
Weight:178lb
Country:New Zealand
Sport:Rowing
Club:Picton Rowing Club
Show-Medals:yes

Andre Victor Olsson (28 August 1903  - 3 July 1990) was a New Zealand rower who won two medals representing his country at the 1930 British Empire Games.

Early life and family

Born in Picton on 28 August 1903, Olsson was the son of Victor Olsson and Christina Olsson (née McKay).[3] He married Ivy Ethel Julia Chapman on 31 January 1935.[4]

Rowing

A member of the Picton Rowing Club, Olsson was described as "a rower of tremendous strength and stamina".[2] He was selected in the New Zealand eight for the 1928 Olympic Games, but they did not travel because of insufficient funds.[5]

Competing for New Zealand at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario, he won a silver medal as a member of the men's eight that lost to the English crew by three-quarters of a length.[6] [7] Also at the Hamilton games, he won the bronze medal in the coxless four, alongside Berry Johnson, Alex Ross and Charles Saunders.[6]

In April 1932, Olsson was named in the New Zealand team to compete at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.[8] [9] However, the following month he withdrew, and was replaced by Noel Pope.[10]

Death

Olsson died on 3 July 1990, and he was buried at Picton Cemetery.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Electoral district of Wairau: general roll of persons entitled to vote for Members of Parliament in New Zealand . 1935 . 130.
  2. News: For Empire Games: the oarsmen to get their big opportunity . 10 April 1930 . NZ Truth . 30 May 2017 . 17.
  3. Web site: Birth index: registration number 1903/11299 . Births, deaths & marriages online . Department of Internal Affairs . 31 May 2017.
  4. Web site: Marriage index: registration number 1935/8151 . Births, deaths & marriages online . Department of Internal Affairs . 31 May 2017.
  5. News: New Zealand's Olympic eights history . 7 August 2015 . New Zealand Herald . B06.
  6. Web site: Victor Olsson . 2016 . New Zealand Olympic Committee . 31 May 2017.
  7. News: Rowing . 18 October 1930 . Evening Post . 31 May 2017 . 22.
  8. News: Eight-oar rowing . 28 March 1932 . New Zealand Herald . 31 May 2017 . 11.
  9. News: Olympic Games: New Zealand team . 13 April 1932 . The Press . 31 May 2017 . 16.
  10. News: Olympic Games: New Zealand rowing crew . 17 May 1932 . Northern Advocate . 31 May 2017 . 5.
  11. Web site: Cemetery records search . Marlborough District Council . 30 May 2017.