George Burleigh (1914–1984) was a Canadian swimmer. He won gold at the

Commonwealth Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...

in 1930 and 1934. and held Canadian freestyle swimming records in the 1930s.

Early life

In 1925, Burleigh joined the West End

YMCA YMCA, sometimes regionally called the Y, is a worldwide youth organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It was founded on 6 June 1844 by George Williams (philanthropist), Georg ...

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

. He had been given his membership as a Christmas present from his grandmother. He later described it as "probably one of the best things that ever happened to me".

Career

From 1930 to 1938, Burleigh held every Canadian record in freestyle swimming ranging from the 50 yd freestyle to the mile freestyle. During this time period, he won a total of 7 medals at the British Empire Games.

1930 British Empire Games

At the inaugural British Empire Games in 1930 in

Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Ontario. Hamilton has a Canada 2016 Census, population of 569,353, and its Census Metropolitan Area, census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington, ...

Burleigh, aged 16, became the youngest swimmer to represent Canada. He won bronze in both the 440 yard freestyle and 1500 yard freestyle events. He also won gold, along with teammates

Munroe Bourne Frederick Munroe Bourne (June 26, 1910 – July 11, 1992) was a Canadian swimming (sport), swimmer who competed at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics in the 100-metre freestyle, 100-metre backstroke and 4×200-metre freestyle relay events and wo ...

, Bert Gibson, and Jimmy Thompson, in the 800 yard (4 x 200 yard) freestyle relay. Only two teams entered this event, with England winning silver, only 2 yards and 0.4 seconds behind Canada's time of 8 minutes and 42.4 seconds.

1934 British Empire Games

At the

1934 British Empire Games The 1934 British Empire Games were the second edition of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, held in England, from 4–11 August 1934. The host city was London, with the main venue at Wembley Park, although the track cycling events we ...

in London Burleigh won three gold medals, later describing it as "my finest hour". Burleigh won individually in the 100 yard freestyle event, and as anchor in the 330 yard (3 x 110 yards) medley relay (with Ben Gazell and Bill Puddy) and the 800 yard (4 x 200 yards) freestyle relay (with George Larson, Robert Hooper, and

Bob Pirie Robert Charles Pirie (April 30, 1916 – January 22, 1984) was a Canadian freestyle swimmer, who competed internationally during the 1930s. Background Pirie was unanimously selected as the Lou Marsh Trophy winner for 1939, recognizing Canad ...

). A new games record was set in all three events.

1938 British Empire Games

The

1938 British Empire Games The 1938 British Empire Games was the third British Empire Games, the event that evolved to become the Commonwealth Games. Held in Sydney, Australia from 5–12 February 1938, they were timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 yea ...

in Sydney was Burleigh's last major competition. The Canadian team travelled from Vancouver, with stops at Honolulu, Fiji, and New Zealand, where the team took part in exhibition meets. In the 880 yard (4 x 220 yards) freestyle relay Burleigh, along with teammates Gordon Devlin, Robert Hooper, and Bob Pirie, won silver. He also competed in the 110 yard freestyle competition but was not placed. The gold medal was won by fellow Canadian Bob Pirie.

Retirement

After ending his swimming career in 1938, Burleigh went to teach at the West End YMCA and retired in Wybridge, Ontario.

Awards and achievements

Burleigh was inducted in the

Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame The Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame is an honour roll of the top Canadian Olympic athletes, teams, coaches, and builders (officials, administrators, and volunteers). It was established in 1949. Selections are made by a committee appointed by the Cana ...

in 1976. Posthumously, he was inducted in the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame in 2000 and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burleigh, George Date of birth missing Date of death missing Canadian male freestyle swimmers Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Canada Swimmers at the 1934 British Empire Games Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Canada Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Canada Swimmers at the 1930 British Empire Games Swimmers at the 1938 British Empire Games 1914 births 1984 deaths 20th-century Canadian people