Frank Nelson
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games • Competed in Olympic Games (non-medal events) • Non-starter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Frank Thayer•Nelson |
| Used name | Frank•Nelson |
| Born | 22 May 1887 in Detroit, Michigan (USA) |
| Died | 16 July 1970 in Detroit, Michigan (USA) |
| Measurements | 170 cm / 63 kg |
| Affiliations | Harvard Crimson, Cambridge (USA) |
| NOC |  United States |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 0 |
| Silver | 1 |
| Bronze | 0 |
| Total | 1 |
Biography
In 1909 Frank Nelson and Charles Campbell of Yale tied for first place at 12-4 (3.76) in the dual meet with Harvard and were the top-ranked vaulters in the world that year. Nelson lost to Campbell at the 1909 IC4A but he won the title in 1910 when he beat yet another fine Yale vaulter, Robert Gardner, who went on to set a world record in 1912 as well as win the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship three times. Gardner failed to make the Olympic team but the first three places in Stockholm still went to the Ivy League. Harry Babcock (Columbia) took the gold medal, and Marc Wright (Dartmouth) and Frank Nelson tied for second.
Nelson also competed in the 1912 Olympic Baseball demonstration event.
Personal Best: PV – 12-7½ (3.85) (1912).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 Summer Olympics | Athletics | USA |
Frank Nelson | |||
| Pole Vault, Men (Olympic) | ||||||
| 1912 Summer Olympics | Athletics | USA |
Frank Nelson | |||
| Pole Vault, Men (Olympic) | =2 | Silver | ||||
| Baseball (Baseball/Softball) | USA |
Frank Nelson | ||||
| Baseball, Men (Olympic (non-medal)) | Mixed team | 2 |