Olga Johnston – Athlete
Despite approaching middle‑age, Olga Johnston took up archery and for 17 years she was a dominant figure in that sport both at the provincial and national levels.
Johnston joined the Prince Albert Archery Club in 1969 at the tender age of 37. The first three years of competitive archery were a learning process for Johnston as she entered numerous provincial championships, but never made it to the winner’s podium.
In 1973, however, that all changed.
Johnston captured the Wascana Invitational and provincial Felkl and Hunter competitions that year to push her well into the top 10 in provincial women’s rankings. One year later Johnston captured her first provincial title when she topped the list at the Saskatchewan indoor championships held in Prince Albert.
Johnston later finished third at the Canadian outdoor championships, also held in Prince Albert, and from that performance Johnston was included in the Canadian team which competed at the 1974 world championships in Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
Although Johnston finished 1lth at the world championships, it was easily the highlight of her career. In total, Johnston competed at 10 national championships after more than a decade of first or second‑place finishes at the provincial level.
Johnston competed at the Western Canada Summer Games in 1975, 1979 and 1983. In three Saskatchewan Summer Games appearances, Johnston won the gold medal all three times ‑ 1976, 1980 and 1984.
Johnston has also given plenty back to the sport as she has instructed numerous city‑sponsored archery programs as well as lessons with the Prince Albert Archery Club.
Johnston has served on the executive for both the Prince Albert Archery Club and Saskatchewan Archery Association as well as having managed the provincial entry at the 1981 Canada Summer Games in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
After having retired from the sport in 1986, Johnston was presented with a life membership to the Saskatchewan Archery Association in 1990. That same year, Johnston came out of retirement for two events ‑ the Western Canadian Masters and Canadian Masters ‑ and she won gold medals at both events.
Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
