Who Are Chris Nilsen’s Parents? Here Is Everything You Need to Know about the Pole Vaulting Legend’s Family

Chris Nilsen has secured his place for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This will be his second tour to the Olympic games. Having already won a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics, Nilsen will surely try to do one better this time and clinch the golden snitch for himself. Having cleared 5.97 m in Tokyo, the South Dakota alumni is aiming to soar higher this time, perhaps bag a record or two. 

Well, surely he can break the world record, for he almost did so this year. Competing at the USD Alumni meet, Chris Nilsen made a vault of 6.01m, setting a new world lead for 2024. And while Nilsen is engrossed in conquering Paris, two people who will eagerly be waiting for his success are his parents. Without them, Team USA would not have Chris Nilsen. 

All about Chris Nilsen’s parents

Chris Nilsen was born to Karen and Mark Nilsen on January 13, 1998. After watching their son’s interest in track and field, both Karen and Mark encouraged and supported Chris to pursue his dreams. And soon, results started to follow. In his high school days at Park Hill High School, Chris Nilsen made his impact while in the fifth standard. Competing with his pole, Chris made a new United States high school record at the Missouri Class 5 sectional meet. He jumped 5.61m to wow the audience. 

Chris also clinched pole position at the 2016 Kansas Relays pole vault event while still being in school. Soon after joining college, Chris became an NCAA phenom for the University of South Dakota. With his impeccable skills on display, Chris went on to become 3x NCAA Track and Field Pole vault champion. He also made it to the NCAA Division 1 First Team All-American six times. 

Chris carried his sublime form in his international career, too, winning gold in the Pan American Games in 2019. Chris also won one World Indoor Championships bronze while clinching a bronze and a silver apiece at the worlds. However, his crowning moment came at the Tokyo Olympics, winning the silver medal. And quite expectedly, Chris’ parents were the happiest. 

The parents’ feeling after Nilsen won his Olympic silver medal

Following his silver medal victory, Chris Nilsen’s parents could not believe what they were witnessing. Speaking in an exclusive interview with KSHB 41, Mark Nilsen stated, “To see him win the silver medal… That’s just not a high I’m gonna come down from too fast.”

Chris’ mother too, expressed her disbelief and relief at the same time. Karen Nilsen pointed out, “To see it come to fruition… and especially in his first Olympic experience, it’s just incredible… He’s worked very, very hard and deserves it very much.” The Olympian’s parents also mentioned how they organized a watch party and were heavily relieved once their son landed on the podium. Thus, banking on his parents’ blessings, Chris Nilsen will surely look to aim for gold and make his parents even more proud in the upcoming future.