(1918–2004)
Athlete. Blankers-Koen became famous when she won four gold medals at the 1948 Olympics in London, in the 100-meter and 200 meter sprints, the 80-meter hurdles. and the 4 100-meter relay. In the next Olympics, at Helsinki in 1952, she was less successful due to injuries. She also won many European and Dutch titles. After her athletic career, Blankers-Koen headed the Dutch athletics team until 1968. In 1999, the International Association of Athletics Federations selected her as “female athlete of the 20th century.”
Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands. EdwART. 2012.