George Burleigh

A seven-time British Empire Games medalist (three individual, four relay), Canada’s George Burleigh was just 16 years old and the youngest swimmer ever to represent Canada at the 1930 British Empire Games. Over two Games, Burleigh won a career total four gold, one silver and two bronze medals at Hamilton 1930 and London 1934. From 1930-38 Burleigh held every Canadian freestyle record from 50 yards to one mile. 

In 1925, Burleigh began to swim at the West End YMCA in Toronto. After his competitive swimming days were over in 1938, Burleigh continued to coach the young swimmers in the YMCA, then eventually retired to Wyebridge, Ontario.

Burleigh was inducted in the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1976, Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame in 2000 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.