BLANKERSKOEN, FANNY (FRANCINA ELSJE)

(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.”