Toni Merkens

Prior to winning the sprint gold medal at Berlin, Toni Merkens won the amateur World Championships in the sprint in 1935. He had been German champion in 1934-35, and also won sprint titles in 1934-35 in London and at the Grand Prix de Paris. He turned professional shortly after the 1936 Olympics. He was not able to place at further international championships, but was German professional champion in 1940 in the motor-paced event and in 1942 in the match sprint. He was also runner-up four times in German professional track championships between 1937-42. Merkens was killed in action while fighting the Russians on the Eastern Front.