Thomas Burke (sprinter)

Thomas Burke

Burke in 1918
Personal information
Birth name	Thomas Edmund Burke
Born	January 15, 1875 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died	February 14, 1929 (aged 54) Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Alma mater	Boston University School of Law
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	146 lb (66 kg)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event	100-800 m
Club	Boston Athletic Association
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100 m – 11.2 (1895) 200 m – 22.6 (1897) 400 m – 48.5 (1896) 800 m – 1:55.9 (1897)
Medal record Representing the United States Olympic Games 1896 Athens 100 m 1896 Athens 400 m

Thomas Edmund Burke (January 15, 1875 – February 14, 1929) was an American sprinter. He was the first Olympic champion in the 100 and 400 meter sprint races.

Biography

Burke was born in Massachusetts in 1875. He competed for the Suffolk Athletic Club in South Boston and the Boston Athletic Association (BAA).

Burke, a student at Boston University School of Law, was a reputed runner in the 400 meters and 440 yards, having won the AAU title (440 yards) in 1895. He had no such reputation for the first event he entered in the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens, 1896. With many top sprinters absent, Burke surprisingly won the 100 meters. He was also noted for his "crouch start", which was uncommon at that time but in standard use now. His time in the final was 12.0 seconds. In the preliminary heat, he had an even better time – 11.8 seconds.

At the same Olympics, Burke also won the 400 meters, his top event. His times for that event were 58.4 seconds in the preliminary heats and 54.2 seconds in the final, in both of which Burke finished first.

Later in his career, Burke specialized in the longer distances, winning IC4A titles in the 440 and 880 yards events. In 1897, he was one of the initiators of the annually held Boston Marathon, inspired by the success of the marathon event at the 1896 Olympics.

Burke later became a lawyer, but was also an athletics coach and a part-time journalist, writing for The Boston Journal and the Boston Post.

He demonstrated remarkable courage and adaptability later in life during World War I. At an age when most soldiers had long since retired from active duty, Burke defied expectations by earning his aviator’s wings at 43, making him the oldest man in the U.S. military to achieve this distinction. His transition from the track to the skies speaks volumes about his determination and pioneering spirit. The same discipline and competitive drive that propelled him to Olympic glory likely played a role in his success as an aviator. Flying in World War I was an incredibly dangerous undertaking, with rudimentary aircraft, limited training, and a high mortality rate among pilots. That Burke not only pursued but excelled in this field highlights his unwavering commitment to service and personal excellence. His story is a testament to the fact that greatness is not confined to a single arena. Whether sprinting on the Olympic stage or taking to the skies in wartime, Burke embodied the relentless pursuit of achievement. His legacy extends beyond sports, serving as an inspiration for those who seek to push boundaries and redefine what is possible at any stage of life. Burke died in 1929, aged 54.

External links

• Thomas Burke at legacy.USATF.org
• Thomas Burke at www.USATF.org
• Thomas Burke at Olympics.com
• Thomas Burke at Olympedia

Further reading

• Wallechinsky, David; Loucky, Jaime (2012). The Complete Book of the Olympics (2012 ed.). London: Aurum Press. pp. 43–44, 77. ISBN 978-1-84513-695-6.