A memorial has been set up in memory of East Sheen local, George Weedon, who always lived life to the full: from dispatch rider during the war, to three-time British floor champion and Olympian. Even into his 70s, as a builder, he was seen scaling roof tops, using his gymnastic skills
An interactive memorial has been created in Sheen Common Woods for local man, George Weedon, who lived in Sheen for more than 60 years and was a double British Olympian and a much-loved local character.
George, who passed away in 2017, aged 96, took up gymnastics as a boy in the 1930s. At the outbreak of World War II he became a motorbike dispatch rider for Air Raid Precautions. In 1941, George helped injured soldiers with their rehabilitation and having been promoted, helped with fitness training for new recruits.
Despite breaking a vertebra in 1939 and losing a kidney in 1942, George was determined to continue with his sport. He built his own gym, including a high bar made from an iron curtain rail wedged between his garden wall and a tree.
He kept training and in 1946, was crowned British Gymnastics Floor Champion for a ground-breaking routine that introduced the splits into men’s gymnastics for the first time. He won again in 147 and 1948 and represented Great Britain in the London 1948 London and Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games. He was also the first man to wear shorts in competitive gymnastics. In recognition of his contribution to the sport, he was one of the torch bearers for the 2012 London Olympics.
He went on to teach PE in local schools and coached at the Richmond Gymnastics Association and, never one to stop, even became an excellent ballroom dancer, taking part in international competitions.
A well-known local builder and handyman, George loved to surprise locals with his gymnastic skills as he scaled trees and houses.
George’s memorial bench carries a QI code that can be scanned to directly link to his life story. It is placed next to the new adventure playground – a fitting memorial to a man that helped so many children to achieve their best in the sport.
Find out about other local people here.