Mathilda Catrina VAN DER MADE-VAN DER ZWAARD

Tilly van der Zwaard did not start athletics until she was 21. She quickly grew to a national level sprinter, but after trying out a 400 m, she made that her prime event. In 1962, she reached the final of the 400 m at the European Championships and came in third. Two years later she also reached the final of the Olympic 400 m, in which Van der Zwaard placed 6th. She married after the Games and was absent for some years, giving birth to a daughter. She returned in 1966 and also started competing in the 800 m. Having qualified for Mexico 1968 in both events, poor shape and the high altitudes meant Van der Zwaard was eliminated in the 800 m heats forfeited the 400 m. The remainder of her career was hampered by injuries, ultimately retiring after the 1973 season. With her family she moved to Florida, where she lived until her death in 2019. During her career, Van der Zwaard collected 7 Dutch titles: 200 m (1962-63), 400 m (1962-64), 500 m and 800 m indoor (1970). She also bettered numerous Dutch records and briefly held the non-current 3 x 800 m world record.

Personal Bests: 400 – 53.2 (1968); 800 – 2:04.4 (1968).