The legacy of an Olympian who competed in Nazi Germany and stitched her own shirt is the subject of a Sutton author’s latest book.

Mitcham-born high jumper Dorothy Tyler-Odam, who for many years lived in Thornton Heath, was exceptional.

She was the last surviving athlete who attended the Nazi Germany Olympics and the only woman to win medals on either side of the Second World War.

But Ridge Park writer Mike Fleet, 77, believes Mrs Tyler-Odam died believing she had missed out.

He said: “She was a competitive woman, even after her career had ended.

“A change in the high jump rules saw Dorothy miss out on the gold medal and I think she went to her grave frustrated about that fact, but she truly was an incredible woman.

“She was nothing like today’s athletes. She stitched her own shirt that she wore in the games and had only one pair of shoes.

“Today many would have multiple shirts and several ready to give out for free.”

Mrs Tyler-Odam, who was born in Mitcham, took silver in the high jump in 1936 behind Hungarian Jew, Ibolya Csák, and silver again in the 1948 London games.

The former Commonwealth Games athlete-turned-author entitled Mrs Tyler-Odam’s biography Thanks, But No Thanks Mr Hitler, because he believes Adolf Hitler gave her one of her greatest achievements – but took others away when he took Germany to war.

Mr Fleet said: “The 1936 games were unlike any that had been seen before.

“They were on a grand scale, which was unfortunately permeated with racism and propaganda.

“And then he took the continent to war and Dorothy felt that some of her best years were stolen from her.

“But, I find the fact that 12 years later, after having two children and taking part in the war effort, she was able to win a medal in 1948.

“She really was a fascinating person.”

Mrs Tyler-Odam died in September, aged 94, and is survived by her husband Dick and sons David and Barry.