Editing Thomas Burke (sprinter) (section)

==Biography==
Burke was born in [[Massachusetts]] in 1875. He competed for the Suffolk Athletic Club in South Boston and the [[Boston Athletic Association]] (BAA).<ref name="irishboston.blogspot.com">{{Cite web|url=https://irishboston.blogspot.com/2011/04/boston-runner-thomas-e-burke-wins-440.html|title = Boston Runner Thomas e. Burke Wins the 440 and 100 at the First Modern Olympic Games in Athens}}</ref>

Burke, a student at [[Boston University School of Law]], was a reputed runner in the 400 meters and 440 yards, having won the [[Amateur Athletic Union|AAU]] title (440 yards) in 1895. He had no such reputation for the first event he entered in the [[1896 Summer Olympics|inaugural modern Olympic Games]] in [[Athens]], 1896. With many top sprinters absent, Burke surprisingly won the 100 meters. He was also noted for his "[[Sprint (running)|crouch start]]", which was uncommon at that time but in standard use now. His time in the final was 12.0 seconds. In the preliminary heat, he had an even better time – 11.8 seconds.<ref name=r1/>

At the same Olympics, Burke also won the 400 meters, his top event.  His times for that event were 58.4 seconds in the preliminary heats and 54.2 seconds in the final, in both of which Burke finished first.<ref name=r1/>

Later in his career, Burke specialized in the longer distances, winning [[IC4A]] titles in the 440 and 880 yards events. In 1897, he was one of the initiators of the annually held [[Boston Marathon]], inspired by the success of the [[marathon (sport)|marathon]] event at the 1896 Olympics.<ref name=r4/><ref name=r1/>

Burke later became a lawyer, but was also an athletics coach and a part-time journalist, writing for ''[[The Boston Journal]]'' and the ''[[Boston Post]]''.<ref name=r1/>

He demonstrated remarkable courage and adaptability later in life during [[World War I]]. At an age when most soldiers had long since retired from active duty, Burke defied expectations by earning his aviator’s wings at 43, making him the oldest man in the U.S. military to achieve this distinction. His transition from the track to the skies speaks volumes about his determination and pioneering spirit. The same discipline and competitive drive that propelled him to Olympic glory likely played a role in his success as an aviator. Flying in World War I was an incredibly dangerous undertaking, with rudimentary aircraft, limited training, and a high mortality rate among pilots. That Burke not only pursued but excelled in this field highlights his unwavering commitment to service and personal excellence. His story is a testament to the fact that greatness is not confined to a single arena. Whether sprinting on the Olympic stage or taking to the skies in wartime, Burke embodied the relentless pursuit of achievement. His legacy extends beyond sports, serving as an inspiration for those who seek to push boundaries and redefine what is possible at any stage of life. Burke died in 1929, aged 54.<ref name="irishboston.blogspot.com"/>