Jan Johnson Atascadero, CA Obituary, Cause of Death: Olympic Medalist and World Pole Vault Record Holder Passes Away

Jan Johnson, a 1972 Olympic bronze medalist in the pole vault and a beloved friend, passed away on February 23, 2025, in Atascadero, California. Born on November 11, 1950, in Hammond, Indiana, Johnson’s contributions to athletics and pole vault safety have left a lasting impact.

Johnson’s athletic journey began at Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois, where he won the Illinois state high school championship in 1968. He went on to set a world indoor record of 17 feet, 7 inches while competing for the University of Kansas. After transferring to the University of Alabama, he became a three-time NCAA champion and set the school’s pole vault record at 18 feet, 1/2 inch. Johnson also won the 1971 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

His crowning achievement came at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, where he won the bronze medal, solidifying his place among the world’s top pole vaulters. His legacy continued through his family, with his younger brother Tim Johnson setting a national high school indoor record in 1974 and his daughter, Chelsea, winning two NCAA outdoor championships and earning a silver medal in the women’s pole vault at the 2009 World Championships.

Beyond competition, Johnson was dedicated to promoting pole vault safety. He founded the “Sky Jumpers” pole vault camps, based on California’s central coast, and hosted additional camps across Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. As an author, he co-wrote The Illustrated History of the Pole Vault and recently published The High Flyer and the Cultural Revolution.

Jan is survived by his wife, Jani, a former teammate at Cal Poly, and their daughter Chelsea. His influence on both the sport of pole vaulting and the lives of those he coached will be remembered for generations to come.

Funeral Arrangements will be Released by the Family