Marie DÖLLINGER

Marie Dollinger married Fritz Hendrix in 1937 and their child, Brunhilde Hendrix, also became an Olympic sprinter, with her husband winning silver in the sprint relay in 1932 and her daughter in 1960. What might have been her biggest success was marred by the disqualification of the German 4×100 relay team at the Berlin Olympics when she and Ilse Dörffeldt dropped the baton on the final exchange, despite having a big lead. In the heat they had set a world record with 46.4 seconds. She was the only German track & field athlete before World War II to take part in three Olympic Games (1928-36). In 1928 she took part in the first 800 m for women, placing seventh. In 1931 she set a world record with 2:16.8 but she then turned to sprinting when the 800 was dropped from the Olympic Program.

Dollinger also set several other relay world records, three in the 4×100 and one in the 3×800. Domestically she won the titles at 800 metres in 1929-31, over 200 metres in 1931 and 1933, and over 100 metres in 1932. She took part in the 1930 and 1934 Women’s World Games, winning a silver over 800 metres in 1930 and a gold in the 4×100 relay in 1934. In 1954 she was awarded the Golden Needle of the German Track & Field Association.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.8 (1935); 800 – 2:16.8 (1931).