Editing Eddie Tolan (section)

==Professional sprinting career==
In November 1934, Tolan took a leave of absence from his job as assistant county registrar of deeds to compete in the Australian sprint program, a series of five professional races, including the [[Stawell Gift]] handicap.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Sprint Career Calls Eddie Tolan|publisher=Pro Sprinter Career Calls Eddie Tolan; Jefferson City Post-Tribune (AP wire story)|date=November 13, 1934}}</ref> Tolan returned in April 1935 after having set new Australian records of 21.5 seconds in the 220-yard dash on a full curve track and 7.5 seconds for the 75-yard dash.<ref name=King>{{cite news|title=Negro Hailed As Next Olympiad Sprint King: Eddie Tolan Optimistic Over Progress Made by Colored Youth in College Athletics|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 21, 1935}}</ref> He won the 75, 100, and 220-yard events at the World Professional Sprint Championships in March 1935 in Melbourne,<ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1114422 Fresh laurels]. ''The Courier-Mail'' (September 1, 1933). Retrieved on 2015-08-20.</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2380736 'The Midnight Express' seeks our champions]. ''The Canberra Times'' (December 4, 1934). Retrieved on 2015-08-20.</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2386784 Eddie Tolan wins two sprint events]. ''The Canberra Times'' (March 7, 1935). Retrieved on 2015-08-20.</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2384826 New record]. ''The Canberra Times'' (February 7, 1935). Retrieved on 2015-08-20.</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2387328 World's title]. ''The Canberra Times'' (March 14, 1935). Retrieved on 2015-08-20.</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2387429 Eddie Tolan to give up running]. ''The Canberra Times'' (March 15, 1935). Retrieved on 2015-08-20.</ref> and became the first man to win both the amateur and professional world sprint championships.<ref name=Ages/>

In his full career as a sprinter, Tolan won 300 races and lost only 7.<ref name=USATF/><ref name=Detnews/> Throughout his career as a sprinter, Tolan worked by a simple creed: "Start fast, run easily, stay in your lane and finish strong."<ref>{{cite news|title=Death Takes Ex-Olympian Eddie Tolan|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|date=February 1, 1967}}</ref>