Eddie Tolan

Also an American football player, Tolan won Michigan state championships as a high school boy. When he studied at the University of Michigan, Tolan set a World Record of 9,5 in the 100 yd dash, which gained him instantaneous fame in his home country. That same year, he also equalled the World Record in the 100 m on numerous occasions.

In 1932, by then winner of several AAU[?] Championships, Tolan qualifies for the 100 m and 200 m in the Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles, although Ralph Metcalfe[?] beats him twice in the Olympic Trials. However, the finishing order at the Games themselves is the other way round; Tolan set two Olympic Records to win both sprint events. Remarkably, neither Tolan nor Metcalfe was part of the American 4 x 100 m relay team, which nevertheless won that event in a new World Record.

After the Games, Tolan quit running, although he did use his talent to run in several professional races later on. Tolan later became a vaudeville performer and, eventually, a school teacher. He died at age 58 of a heart attack.

External Links

• Eddie Tolan's entry in the Michigan Track & Field Hall of Fame (http://www.michtrack.org/HOF/hoftolan.htm)