Hugh Weir

Background

Weir was born in Melbourne, Victoria on 21 July 1894.

Career

He died of a heart attack on 5 March 1975 in Sydney, New South Wales. During his working career, he was a Manager with shipping company McIllwraith McEacharn. Weir joined the Essendon Amateur Athletic Club in 1913 and was a highly regarded hurdler, sprinter and long jumper until 1926.

In 1920, he was the Club"s delegate to the Victorian Amateur Athletic Federation and was appointed Federation treasurer in 1923.

In 1927, he was appointed Secretary General of the Victorian Olympic Council. He was Manager of the Australian team at the 1930 British Empire Games.

Weir was its President from 1944 to 1957. Between 1956 to 1958, he was Vice President of the International Amateur Athletic Federation.

He was involved in organizing the 1935 Centenary Games in Melbourne, 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney and 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.

Weir was an International Olympic Committee member from 1946 to his death in 1975. He was a chairman of the International Olympic Committee"s Eligibility Commission which examined the issue of amateurism. 1935 - Athletics Victoria Life Member.

Achievements

• 1935 - Athletics Victoria Life Member 1953 - Order of the British Empire - Officer (Civil) 1956 - IAAF Veterans Pin 1957 - Athletics Australia Honorary Life Governor 1958 - Order of the British Empire - Commander (Civil) Australian Olympic Committee Life Member.

Membership

International Olympic Committee]

In 1936, Weir became a board member of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia.