By the time he was a teenager, George Vernot’s swimming prowess was already well-known in his native Montreal. In 1919 he became Canadian champion in the 100, 220, and 440 yard freestyle events, and defended the latter two titles the following year, which qualified him to represent Canada at the 1920 Summer Olympics. At the Games he won silver and bronze in the 1,500 and 400 metre freestyle events respectively, and was also eliminated in the semifinals of the 100 metres. He then entered McGill University to study civil engineering, but remained active in amateur and intercollegiate swimming and water polo. He was selected to represent his nation at the Olympics again in 1924, but was less successful, being eliminated in the semifinals of both of his medal-winning events. He retired from active competition upon his graduation from McGill in 1926 and spent the rest of his life working for the City of Montreal, becoming chairman of the Board of Assessors in 1948. A park in the city was named in his honor in 1969.
Canada