Melchior Rudolf Bürgin is a former Swiss rower

Rowing (sport)

Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...

 who competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics

1964 Summer Olympics

The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...

, the 1968 Summer Olympics

1968 Summer Olympics

The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...

 and the 1972 Summer Olympics

1972 Summer Olympics

The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....

.

Bürgin was born in Eptingen

Eptingen

Eptingen is a municipality in the district of Waldenburg in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland.-Geography:Eptingen has an area, , of . Of this area, or 47.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 47.6% is forested...

 and rowed for Grasshopper-Club Zürich

Grasshopper-Club Zürich

Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...

. He partnered Martin Studach

Martin Studach

Martin Andreas Studach was a Swiss rower who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 1968 Summer Olympics....

 in the Double scull

Double scull

A double scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two persons who propel the boat by sculling with two oars, one in each hand....

 rowing for Switzerland at the 1964 Summer Olympics

Switzerland at the 1964 Summer Olympics

Switzerland competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. 66 competitors, 65 men and 1 woman, took part in 51 events in 13 sports.- Gold:* Henri Chammartin — Equestrian, Dressage Individual Competition- Silver:...

 in Tokyo

Tokyo

, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

 when they came fourth. Over next three years, Bürgin and Studach dominated the double sculls scene. In 1965 they won the Double Sculls Challenge Cup

Double Sculls Challenge Cup

The Double Sculls Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's double sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two clubs may combine to make an entry....

 at Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...

  and the European Championships. In 1966 they won the World Championships. They won the European Championships and the Double Sculls at Henley again in 1967. Bürgin and Studach rowed in the Double Scull for Switzerland at the 1968 Summer Olympics

Switzerland at the 1968 Summer Olympics

Switzerland competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. 85 competitors, 81 men and 4 women, took part in 68 events in 12 sports.- Silver:* Bernhard Dunand, Louis Noverraz and Marcel Stern — Sailing, Men's 5½ Meter Class...

, but at the altitude in Mexico Studach suffered a collapse through over-exertion in the heats. Bürgin went two more rounds with substitute Hans Ruckstuhl.

Burgin won the Double sculls at Henley again in 1969 partnering Denis Oswald

Denis Oswald

Denis Oswald is a Swiss rower and sports official. He competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics, in the 1972 Summer Olympics, and in the 1976 Summer Olympics....

. Bürgin competed for Switzerland at the 1972 Summer Olympics

Switzerland at the 1972 Summer Olympics

Switzerland competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. 151 competitors, 122 men and 29 women, took part in 116 events in 17 sports.-Medalists:Switzerland finished in 26th position in the final medal rankings, with three silver medals....

 in the Single scull

Single scull

A single scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for a single person who propels the boat with two oars, one in each hand....

and reached the final to come sixth.

Burgin was a long-time employee of Stampfli the Swiss boat builders and took over the company in the 1980s when Afred Stampfli retired.