Bert Pearson

Bert Pearson developed his running skills while playing rugby football and began setting national track records as a schoolboy. In the trials for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics he equalled the world record for the 100 metres and was selected to represent Canada. At the Games, however, he was eliminated in the semi-finals of both the 100 and 200 metres, and just missed a medal when he came in fourth in the 4x100 metres relay, alongside Percy Williams, Jim Brown, and Harold Wright. He had better luck at the 1934 British Empire Games, where he took silver in the 4x110 yards relay with non-Olympians Allan Poole, Frank Nicks and Bill Christie. At that tournament, he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 220 yards and in the heats of the 100 yards.

Pearson attempted to qualify for the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but was unable, and he retired shortly thereafter. He experienced poor health in the following years, suffering his first heart attack at the age of 34. A second attack, in 1959, weakened him severely and he died the following year, aged only 46. By career, he was a Sunday school teacher.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.4 (1932); 200 – 21.4y (1933).