Background
He was born in Ukiah, California.
He was born in Ukiah, California.
San José State University.
His best result at the Olympics was the 7th place in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He also threw in the 1968 Summer Olympics, coming in as a favorite after setting the United States. record of 235" 11" at the 1967 Amateur Athletic Union Championships in Bakersfield, California (the same meet Jim Ryun ran his long standing 3:511 mile record), then the number two performance in history. After being (unjustly) called for a foul on his first two throws, he was so disappointed in his results that he retired from the sport following the Olympics.
Just shy of his 40th birthday, he decided to give the Hammer one more whirl.
Edward Burke attended college at San Jose State University. Following the Olympics, he again retired to tend the Los Gatos Athletic Club.
He joined fellow Olympian, Discus Thrower Mac Wilkins in forming Explorer Post 813 in San Jose, California, dedicated to introducing boys and girls to the art of throwing. They constructed throwing cages next to Highway 85, enlisting the help of other world-class athletes training in the hotbed San Jose area.
30 graduates of their program have gone on to throw for National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I schools, two of them Dave Popejoy and Kevin McMahon made United States. Olympic teams.
21 years after his second retirement, he returned to competition in the 65-year-old division. and promptly set the World Record for his age division.
Being the oldest member of the team and a remarkable story, he was selected to carry the flag in the hometown Olympic Opening Ceremonies by the team captains.