Phil Olsen of Nanaimo built a distinguished athletic career as a javelin thrower, which included an appearance in the finals of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He was an 11-time Canadian champion. (Nancy Olsen)

By Ian Holmes

Illustrious career

Renowned track & field champion, longtime Nanaimo educator passes away

Mar 23, 2020 | 6:28 AM

NANAIMO — A well known Nanaimo educator and decorated track and field star has passed away.

Phil Olsen, 63, died Sunday March 15 after suffering a heart attack while collecting firewood in the Nanaimo River Rd. area with his wife.

Olsen’s long list of athletic accomplishments includes competing in the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal, while he captured a gold medal in Javelin at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

Nancy Olsen told NanaimoNewsNOW she’ll miss her husband’s positive outlook on life.

“He always enjoyed sharing his happiness and his love for life and his life of health and fitness more than talking about his past and his career as an athlete,” she said.

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Phil’s death came as a shock to Nancy, citing his diligent fitness and healthy eating habits. She said Phil’s father also passed away of a cardiac arrest, which may have played a factor.

“We were planning on moving up north to Gold River or something, it’s just sad that’s not going to happen for us.”

Nancy said Phil was the youngest of five children, who grew up on Townsite Rd. He was inducted in the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame during the initiative’s inauguration in 2008.

Phil’s storied collegiate career at the University of Tennesse featured a gold medal performance in 1976.

He only competed in one Olympics due in part to injuries and a Canadian boycott of the 1980 games in Moscow.

Nancy said it has been heartwarming seeing many condolences come her way after she shared the news on social media.

“It’s such a great loss for me, but also nice to be able commensurate with those who also knew him and realize how much he did around not here, not only as an athlete, but as an educational assistant.”

Nancy said it’s unclear when Phil’s service will be held due to the COVID-19 concerns.

Olsen still owns the provincial high school javelin record with a throw of 71.46 meters as an 11th grader at NDSS.

Phil spent more than 30-years as an education assistant in school district 68. Nancy said he worked at Woodlands Secondary, NDSS and most recently Wellington Secondary up until his death.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes