Marie Baron, Dutch swimmer and diver (d. 1948)

Mietje "Marie" Baron: A Pioneer of Dutch Aquatic Sports

Mietje "Marie" Baron, born on February 5, 1908, and passing away on July 23, 1948, was a distinguished Dutch aquatic athlete, renowned for her prowess in both competitive swimming and diving. Her career spanned a pivotal era in women's sports, culminating in her representation of the Netherlands at two significant Olympic Games: Paris in 1924 and her home Games in Amsterdam in 1928.

Olympic Debut and a Controversial Disqualification in Paris (1924)

Baron made her Olympic debut at the VIII Olympiad in Paris in 1924, a Games that marked a growing presence for women in competitive sports. While she contributed to the Dutch effort in the 4 × 100 meter freestyle relay, where her team secured a sixth-place finish, it was her experience in the 200 meter breaststroke that became a particularly poignant chapter of her career. During the initial heats of the breaststroke event, Baron faced a controversial disqualification. The officiating judges determined that she had touched the wall with one hand instead of the then-required two hands during one of her turns. This ruling was particularly impactful as her recorded time of 3 minutes and 22.6 seconds was demonstrably faster—by several seconds—than the time achieved by the eventual gold medalist in the final. This incident highlights the strict interpretation of evolving swimming rules and the significant impact such technicalities could have on a competitor's fate in the nascent stages of modern competitive swimming.

Dominance and World Records in Breaststroke (1926-1928)

Despite the setback in Paris, Marie Baron solidified her reputation as a dominant force in breaststroke swimming between 1926 and 1928. During this period, she remarkably set four world records, showcasing her exceptional talent and pioneering technique:

These achievements firmly established her as one of the world's leading breaststroke swimmers of her era, showcasing the rapid development of swimming techniques and performances in the interwar period.

Triumph at Her Home Olympics in Amsterdam (1928)

The 1928 Olympic Games held special significance for Marie Baron as they took place in her home country, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Competing on home soil, she delivered a strong performance in the 200 meter breaststroke. She improved her previous Olympic time, finishing with a commendable 3 minutes, 15.2 seconds. This outstanding effort earned her a silver medal, a significant achievement for the Dutch contingent and a testament to her perseverance. Her primary competitor, Hilde Schrader of Germany, clinched the gold medal with a formidable time of 3 minutes, 12.6 seconds, highlighting the intense international rivalry at the pinnacle of the sport. Beyond swimming, Baron also demonstrated her exceptional versatility by competing in the 10 meter platform diving event at the Amsterdam Games, where she secured a respectable fourth-place finish, narrowly missing a second Olympic medal. This dual aptitude in both swimming and diving was quite rare and remarkable for an athlete of her time, underscoring her comprehensive talent in aquatic sports.

Retirement and Enduring Legacy

At the height of her competitive career, in October 1929, Marie Baron made the decision to retire from competitive swimming, coinciding with the announcement of her engagement. The following year, she married Pieter Lourens de Puij. Although her competitive career was relatively brief, Mietje "Marie" Baron left an indelible mark on the sport, particularly in breaststroke swimming. Her world records and Olympic medals cemented her place as a pioneer for Dutch women in aquatic sports, inspiring future generations and contributing significantly to the Netherlands' rich and celebrated tradition in swimming excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mietje "Marie" Baron

What were Mietje "Marie" Baron's primary achievements in swimming and diving?
Marie Baron was an accomplished Dutch swimmer and diver who competed in two Olympic Games (1924 and 1928). Her key achievements include winning a silver medal in the 200 meter breaststroke at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, setting four world records in breaststroke events (two in the 200m and two in the now-obsolete 400m), and achieving a respectable fourth-place finish in Olympic 10 meter platform diving.
Why was Marie Baron disqualified at the 1924 Paris Olympics?
In the 200 meter breaststroke event at the 1924 Olympics, Marie Baron was controversially disqualified during the first round. Judges ruled that she had touched the wall with only one hand during a turn, a violation of the specific rules regarding breaststroke turns at that time which strictly required a two-hand touch. This decision was particularly impactful because her recorded time in that heat was significantly faster than the gold medalist's winning time.
What world records did Marie Baron set during her career?
Between 1926 and 1928, Marie Baron set four world records in breaststroke. She held two world records in the 200 meter breaststroke (3:18.40 and 3:12.80) and two in the now-obsolete 400 meter breaststroke event (6:54.80 and 6:45.60), showcasing her dominance in the discipline during that era.
Did Marie Baron only compete in swimming at the Olympics?
No, Marie Baron was a versatile aquatic athlete. In addition to her primary swimming competitions, she also competed in the 10 meter platform diving event at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where she notably finished in fourth place, demonstrating her rare dual talent.
When did Marie Baron retire from competitive swimming?
Marie Baron retired from competitive swimming in October 1929, shortly after announcing her engagement. She subsequently married Pieter Lourens de Puij the following year.