Harold Nelson

Who was Harold Nelson?

William Harold Nelson, MBE, was a New Zealand long distance runner from Nelson, New Zealand.

At the 1950 British Empire Games he won the gold medal in the 6 miles track race. He also won the silver medal in the 3 miles event at the same games. He competed in the 5000 and 10,000 metres at the 1948 Olympic Games where he was the New Zealand team captain and flagbearer. He finished 6th in the 1st Heat of the 5000m and did not finish in the 10,000m.

In the 1986 Queen's Birthday Honours, Nelson was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to athletics.

In 2009 Nelson was recognised as New Zealand's oldest living Olympian. He died at Richmond in 2011.