Shortly before the 1948 Summer Olympics, Bruce Bourke became the first Australian to swim the 100 metres freestyle in under a minute, and was ranked fifth overall in that event worldwide. In London, he was eliminated in the semi-finals of that competition, as well as the 100 metres backstroke, and was a reserve in the 4x200 metres freestyle relay, but did not start. During his time at the Games, he stole an Olympic flag, a fact that only became known widely as the 2012 London Olympics approached. He was also a member of the Australian water polo squad that won the tournament at the 1950 British Empire Games. Domestically, he won the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on multiple occasions. His son Glenn competed in Finn class sailing at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.