Tom Burke
Encyclopedia
Thomas Burke was an American
athlete. He was the first Olympic champion in the 100 and 400 metres races.
, was a reputed runner in the 400 metres 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 metres. 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 metres, 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 specialised 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 a part-time sports journalist and athletics coach. He is also related to basketball player Pat Burke
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete. He was the first Olympic champion in the 100 and 400 metres races.
Biography
Burke, a student at Boston University School of LawBoston University School of Law
Boston University School of Law is the law school affiliated with Boston University, and is ranked #22 among American law schools by US News and World Report magazine. It is the second-oldest law school in Massachusetts and one of the first law schools in the country to admit students regardless...
, was a reputed runner in the 400 metres and 440 yards, having won the AAU
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
title (440 yards) in 1895. He had no such reputation for the first event he entered in the inaugural modern Olympic Games
1896 Summer Olympics
The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, was a multi-sport event celebrated in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to April 15, 1896. It was the first international Olympic Games held in the Modern era...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, 1896. With many top sprinters absent, Burke surprisingly won the 100 metres. 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 metres, 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 specialised in the longer distances, winning IC4A
IC4A
IC4A or ICAAAA is an annual men's competition held at different colleges every year....
titles in the 440 and 880 yards events. In 1897, he was one of the initiators of the annually held Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
, inspired by the success of the marathon event at the 1896 Olympics.
Burke later became a lawyer, but was also a part-time sports journalist and athletics coach. He is also related to basketball player Pat Burke
Pat Burke
Patrick John Burke is a former Irish professional basketball player, who last played with the Polish club Asseco Prokom Sopot...
.