Chris Berger

Originally a football player, Chris Berger switched to sprinting after winning the Dutch 100 m title for footballers. Berger quickly developed into the fastest Dutch athlete, and after defeating the German stars Jonath and Körnig, he had set his sights on an Olympic medal in Los Angeles. The long trip to California ruined Berger’s form, and he didn’t even make it to the semi-finals. Berger’s best season came in 1934. In Torino, he won the inaugural European title in both the 100 and 200 m. His 100 m title was initially awarded to German runner Borchmeyer, but when the finish photo was developed the next day, the gold was awarded to Berger. In the 1934 European Championships 4×100 metres relay he won the bronze medal (with Tinus Osendarp, Tjeerd Boersma, and the non-Olympian Robert Jansen). Later that year, Berger equalled the World Record in Amsterdam at 10.3, which remained a European record until 1951 and a Dutch record until 1965. Winning the sprint double at the Dutch championships 1931-1934, Berger was then eclipsed by Tinus Osendarp. After ending his track career, he worked as supervisor of the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. His daughter Elles later became a well-known presenter on Dutch television.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.3 (1934); 200 – 21.1 (1930).