Fanny Blankers-Koen in the 80m hurdles at the 1948 Olympic Games in London (© Getty Images)
Plaque Category - Legend and Competition
Legend: Fanny Blankers-Koen (NED)
4-time Olympic gold medallist;
Stadium and meeting named in her honour
Dubbed “The Flying Housewife” following her four Olympic Gold medals in London achieved at the age of 30 while pregnant with her third child. With Olympic rules then limiting athletes to three individual events and a relay, Blankers-Koen focused on the 100m, 200m and 80m hurdles in London and opted to not contest the high and long jump, despite being the world record holder in both. In her career she set world records at 100m, 80mH, high jump, long jump & pentathlon. In 1999, she was voted IAAF Female Athlete of the Century.
1936, 1948 Olympic Games – 4 gold medals
12 ratified world records
Born: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 26 April 1918
Died: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 25 January 2004
Competition: Fanny Blankers-Koen Games, Hengelo