Jack Beresford was a British rower and one of the most accomplished rowers in the history of the sport. Born as John Beresford in 1899 in London, England, he competed in five Olympic Games from 1920 to 1936, during which he won three gold medals and two silver medals. This record made him one of Britain's most successful Olympians for several decades.
Beresford's Olympic career began at the 1920 Antwerp Games, where he won a silver medal in the single sculls. He continued to excel in subsequent Olympics, switching between single sculls and team events. In the 1924 Paris Olympics, he won gold in the single sculls. At the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, he earned a silver medal in the single sculls. In the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, he achieved gold in the double sculls, pairing with Leslie Southwood. Finally, at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Beresford and his team won gold in the eights, cementing his status as a rowing legend.
Beresford was known for his outstanding skill, competitive spirit, and his ability to excel over an unusually long athletic career. He was also involved in the administration of rowing post-retirement, contributing to the sport beyond his active competitive years.
Jack Beresford's legacy in rowing is remembered through various accolades and Hall of Fame inductions, including being one of the inaugural inductees into the World Rowing Hall of Fame. His contributions to British sports and his remarkable Olympic achievements have continued to inspire generations of rowers.