John Holland

Who was John Holland?

John Macfarlane "Dutch" Holland was a New Zealand athlete who competed mainly in hurdles events. His greatest international success was in the 400 metre/440 yards hurdles.

He competed for New Zealand in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England and the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland in the 400 metre hurdles, winning the bronze medal in the latter. He also competed at the 1950 British Empire Games held at Auckland, New Zealand where he won the silver medal in the 440 yards hurdles, and a bronze medal as a member of the New Zealand 4 x 400 yards relay team with Dave Batten, Derek Steward and Jack Sutherland.

He was New Zealand champion and record-holder for all three hurdles disciplines: 120 yards high hurdles, 220 yards low hurdles, and 440 yards intermediate hurdles.

He died after a long illness, survived by his wife Val and two sons. He had been a teacher, then was in the sales section of Shell Oil for over 25 years He and his Waikato Olympic team mate Maurice Marshall were honored by having parallel streets named after them in Hamilton.