George Weightman-Smith

South Africa’s George Weightman-Smith was an all-round track and field athlete who had his greatest success in the hurdles. Weightman-Smith ran in the 110 metres hurdles at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics where he set a world record of 14.6 seconds in the semi-finals. In the final of the event, however, he finished fifth out of the six athletes, with compatriot Sid Atkinson winning the gold medal. His world record stood just over a year before Sweden’s Eric Wennström ran 14.4 seconds in August 1929 in Stockholm. At the Amsterdam Games Weightman-Smith also competed in the javelin, finishing 21st, and the decathlon, withdrawing after just four events.

Personal Bests: 110H – 14.6 (1928); JT – 61.91 (1928); Dec – unknown.