Nilsen competes at 2024 Paris Olympics

SAINT-DENIS, France (USD) — Competing in his second Olympics Saturday morning, South Dakota alumnus Chris Nilsen ’20 came up short of making the final in the pole vault competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Nilsen, the silver medalist three years ago at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, cleared the opening bar height of 5.40 meters (17-8.5) on his second attempt inside the Stade de France, but was unable to get over the next height of 5.60 meters (18-4.5).

He is a four-time medalist on the world stage, adding a bronze from the 2022 World Indoor Championships, a silver from the 2022 World Championships and a bronze from the 2023 World Championships to his silver from the 2020 Olympics.

Nilsen is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and was a three-time NCAA Champion for the Coyotes. He was a seven-time All-American, finishing third or better in each NCAA Championship held during his collegiate career. He also owns South Dakota’s indoor and outdoor pole vault records. He is USD’s third athlete on record to compete in multiple Olympic Games, joining his coach Derek Miles (2004, 2008, 2012) and Greg Haydenluck, who competed in the bobsleigh in 1988 and 1992.

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