George Hetzel Baird (March 5, 1907 – September 4, 2004) was an American sprint runner who won a gold medal in 4 × 400 m relay at the

1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics ( nl, Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad ( nl, Spelen van de IXe Olympiade) and commonly known as Amsterdam 1928, was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated from ...

, breaking the world record in the process. A week later he helped to set another world record, at 3:13.4 in the 4×440 yard relay in London. Baird graduated from the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (UI, U of I, UIowa, or simply Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is org ...

and later took various jobs during the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

. He assisted his brother

Bill Bill(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States) * Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature * Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer * Bill, a bird or animal's beak Plac ...

as a

puppeteer A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, called a puppet, to create the illusion that the puppet is alive. The puppet is often shaped like a human, animal, or legendary creature. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from ...

, and later became an assistant professor of education at the

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, the ...

References

External links

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Obituary: George Hetzel Baird
1907 births 2004 deaths American male sprinters Athletes (track and field) at the 1928 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists for the United States in track and field Iowa Hawkeyes men's track and field athletes Medalists at the 1928 Summer Olympics People from Grand Island, Nebraska Track and field athletes from Nebraska {{US-sprint-athletics-bio-stub