Maria Vierdag

Marie Smit- Vierdag ( born September 22, 1905 in Amersfoort, † July 17, 2005 ibid ) was a Dutch swimmer.

Sporting career

Vierdag stood at the cradle of the Dutch success in the international swimming competitions in the 1920s and 1930s. With two European championship titles and an Olympic silver medal, she managed one of the first swimmers in their home country the breakthrough at the top.

Vierdag drew attention to itself, as in 1922 improved the Dutch records over 100, 200 and 1,500 -meter freestyle as a 16- year-old. In 1924 she took part in for the first time in Paris Olympic Games. At its strongest track, the 100 meters freestyle, she was qualified for the final battle.

The following year she won in Bologna at the first time organized for women European Swimming Championships over the same distance in 1:15,0 minutes the title. Together with the Dutch 4x100 -meter freestyle relay it secured at the time of 5:11,6 minutes the silver medal.

In 1928 she took part in Amsterdam as a member of the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay at the Olympic Games. The team, however, was disqualified during the race. Three years later rehabilitated the season and won at the European Swimming Championships in Paris in the cast Truus Bouwmeester, Marie Vierdag, Willemijntje den Ouden and Mary Johanna Brown the title.

The following year, Vierdag launched in Los Angeles for the third time in the Olympic Games and celebrated their biggest success. Together with Willemijntje den Ouden, Maria Oversloot and Cornelia Ladde she won in the European record time of 4:47,5 minutes behind the U.S. relay team silver medal.

After completion of their active career, she worked as a physical trainer and physical therapist. Marie Smit- Vierdag died on July 17, 2005, two months before her 100th birthday.

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