Schneider, Bert

Albert Schneider

Sport:
boxing

Country Represented:
Canada

Years Competed:
1920

Medals Received:
gold

Olympic Info:
Born in the United States, Schneider competed in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics as a member of the Canadian boxing team. During the competition, he won the gold medal in the welterweight division; it was Canada's first Olympic boxing gold medal.

The gold medal match (wherein Schneider faced Alexander Ireland of Great Britain) ended in a draw after the required three rounds, so the referee ordered a fourth round to be fought to determine the winner. Schneider ended up pummeling Ireland in the final round for the victory.

Strangely enough, Schneider was still an American, not Canadian, citizen when he won the medal; no one thought to check his citizenship! In fact, he was unaware that boxing was even an Olympic sport until he read a newspaper article that stated that he had been chosen for the Canadian Olympic team.

Career Highlights:
Schneider was born in Cleveland, but moved to Montreal with his family when he was nine years old. It was in Montreal that he established himself as a boxer and had an awesome amateur career, never losing a bout. Schneider won the Dominion championship and became the Canadian welterweight champion while an American citizen. He turned pro following his Olympic triumph, fighting over 75 bouts during a seven-year career. Schneider is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. July 1, 1897 - d. Feb. 20, 1986

Origin:
Cleveland, Ohio

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