George Eyser, a paralympic pioneer

George Eyser

Prior to the start of this year's summer Olympics, I came across an article about George Eyser. He was a gymnast and a pioneering paralympian who competed at the 1904 games held in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Eyser was the first athlete with a disability to compete in an Olympics.

Originally from Germany, Eyser competed for Team USA. His Olympic dreams were nearly dashed in his teenage year when he lost his left leg after being run over by a train. Eyser, however, was undeterred, and took part in the games wearing a wooden prosthesis. He won all six of his medals in one day, three of which were gold! Eyser's gold medals came from the vault, rope climbing and parallel bars. His two silver came from the pommel horse and 4-event all-around, and his bronze from the horizontal bar.

His involvement in the Olympic Games predates the first Paralympic Games by 54 years. It's interesting to see how far athletes with disabilities have come since then, and are continuing to go.

Unfortunately, poor George Eyser has become a largely forgotten figure in Olympic/Paralympic history. Very little is known about him after he competed at his one and only Olympics. Apparently he spent most of his remaining years in the US, but it's not known if he was married, had children, or remained single. None of the biographers indicate when or where he died, either. His birth date is listed as August 31, 1870, meaning he was 34 when he took part in the Olympics.

I personally find this small piece of sports history interesting. George Eyser, I salute you.