Tollien Schuurman

Dutch track and field athlete Tollien Schuurman excelled as a sprinter and set three world records in the 1930s. Schuurman also set multiple Dutch records and won nine national titles during her career. In August 1930 she equalled the world record in the 100 metres when she ran 12 seconds, before bettering the mark in June 1932 with 11.9 seconds. She also won silver in both the 100 and 200 metres at the Women’s World Games in Praha and won her first Dutch title with victory in the 100 metres in 1930. In 1931 she did the 100 and 200 metres double at the Dutch championships, repeating the feat in 1933 and 1934. Schuurman also became the national long jump champion in 1933 and 1934. In 1932 she ran in the 100 metres and the 4 × 100 metres relay at the Los Angeles Olympics, finishing fourth in the latter. The following year she broke the world record in the 200 metres with 24.6 seconds, a mark that stood for two years. Schuurman then suffered a serious injury during a fall in the 60 metres at the 1934 Women’s World Games, effectively marking an end to her career.

Personal Best: 100 – 11.9 (1932).