Education
Born in Minneapolis, Nelson attended Washburn High School and began competing in middle distance events there. He graduated that year (later being inducted into the school"s hall of fame) and went on to study at Saint Cloud State University.
Career
He broke the school record for the mile run and was ranked fifth nationally as a high school runner in 1964. He competed collegiately for the Saint Cloud State Huskies in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics competitions. He was inducted into the Saint Cloud Hall of Fame in 1983, featuring in the second group of athletes to be given the honour.
The 1967 season was the peak of Nelson"s career.
He repeated this feat at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, becoming the second man to complete the long-distance double after Argentina"s Osvaldo Suárez. Nelson made his Olympic debut in the 10,000 m at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
He was not used to the hot conditions or altitude and his performance suffered as a result. In spite of being ranked eighth in the world for that event, he finished in 29th place with a time of 31:40.2 minutes.
Although, he had not performed well, he was pleased to have represented his country at the competition.
Nelson returned to his studies at Saint Cloud State in 1969, but the year after he suffered a serious back injury due to heavy lifting and the surgery that followed impaired his running ability. He made his last international appearance in 1971 and retired thereafter, although he continued running for pleasure. Nelson has retired from his job as a health teacher, although he still substitute teaches.
He still serves as a boys track and field coach at South View Middle School in Edina, Minnesota.