George Weedon

George Weedon took up gymnastics as a schoolboy in the 1930s, and went on to become one of the sport’s innovators. At the 1946 British Floor Championships, he controversially appeared wearing shorts because, as he said, he “Felt more comfortable.” The organisers wanted to disqualify him, but Weedon was allowed to continue, and duly won the title, which he retained in 1947 and 1948. He also shocked many at the 1946 championship, by introducing the “splits” into men’s gymnastics.

Despite breaking a vertebra in his back in 1939, and then losing a kidney after contracting tuberculosis. Weedon went on to appear at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. He was the subject of a short film by Kate Sullivan called “Walk Tall”, which was about Weedon’s life and training techniques. During the World War II, Weedon was a dispatch rider for air raid precautions, before joining the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment until 1942, when he was discharged after contracting the tuberculosis that cost him a kidney. A physical education teacher at various schools in the Harrow area, Weedon produced many championship-winning school teams, including the national under-11s winners. He was also a coach to many youngsters in the Richmond area, and also coached his future wife Joan Airey, a fellow 1948 Olympian. After deciding he was not fit enough to compete as an athlete, George took up ballroom dancing and competed at the World Championships in Japan when in his 60s. He was also one of the torch bearers for the 2012 London Olympics, having first being refused the honour. The Weedon’s granddaughter, Lindsey Weedon, became a top class triathlete and modern pentathlete.