Shirley Gordon
Canadian high jumper
About Shirley Gordon
Lived 1927 – 2019 (aged 92). Shirley Gordon was a Canadian high jumper.
Shirley Gordon Olafsson (born Shirley Gordon; 10 April 1927 – 23 November 2019) was a Canadian athlete. She competed in the women's high jump at the 1948 Summer Olympics tying for 11th place.
Gordon was born with a deformed left foot. She walked with a limp and used crutches until she was 13. Unable to compete in team sports, she taught herself the high jump. She joined a track club after a friend who was invited insisted that they admit Shirley as well. She married Herbert Olafsson, who was a member of the Canadian National Basketball team.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Shirley Gordon's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Shirley Gordon?
Canadian high jumper
When was Shirley Gordon born?
Shirley Gordon was born on 10 April 1927 in Vancouver.
When did Shirley Gordon die?
Shirley Gordon died on 23 November 2019.
What was Shirley Gordon's occupation?
Shirley Gordon was a high jumper.
What nationality was Shirley Gordon?
Shirley Gordon was Canadian.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Shirley Gordon Olafsson
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Shirley Gordon. https://biography.guide/shirley-gordon/
MLA: "Shirley Gordon." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/shirley-gordon/.
Chicago: "Shirley Gordon." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/shirley-gordon/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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