10 Facts About Simone Schaller

Simone Estelle Schaller Kirin was an American hurdler who competed in the 80 m event at two Olympic Games.

Simone Schaller placed fourth in 1932, and was eliminated in the semi-finals in 1936.

Simone Schaller's family left Connecticut when Simone was seven and moved to Monrovia, California, because of her father's asthma.

Simone Schaller had one brother, born in Manchester, and two sisters, one born in Manchester and the other in California.

Simone Schaller joined the Los Angeles Athletic Association in 1932 so that she could compete on the track team and met Aileen Allen, an Olympic diver in 1920, who encouraged her to try to make the Olympic team and coached her.

Simone Schaller made the 1932 American delegation and competed at the 1932 Summer Olympics and finished a controversial fourth, behind Marjorie Clark.

Simone Schaller had begun hurdling only three months prior to the games and had suffered a serious knee injury a week prior to her event.

Simone Schaller won the women's 100m hurdling event at the 1933 National Championships in Chicago.

Simone Schaller had originally placed third in her heat, but the Italian team complained that Claudia Testoni had actually finished third and Schaller was then officially placed fourth, meaning she did not qualify for the final.

Simone Schaller had two sons and a daughter and worked as a manager of food service at Temple City High School.