Fanny Blankers-Koen

Francina Elsje "Fanny" Blankers-Koen (April 26, 1918 – January 25, 2004) was a Dutch athlete. She is most famous for winning four gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. At that time, she was already a mother of two, which was unheard of at a time where female athletes were still frowned upon by many. It earned her the nickname "The Flying Housewife".

After London

Now known all over the world, Blankers-Koen received many offers for endorsements, advertisements, publicity stunts and the like. Because of the strict amateurism rules in force at the time, she had to turn most offers down. However, in 1949, she travelled abroad to promote women's athletics, flying to Australia and the United States.

Related Topics:
Amateurism - United States

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A darker episode in Blankers-Koen's life occurred in 1950. A year earlier, a new Dutch sprint talent, Foekje Dillema had made her breakthrough. In 1950, she broke the national record in the 200 m, and some journalists already dubbed her as the "new Fanny". After a highly dubious sex test, probably on the request of Jan Blankers, Dillema was expelled from the Dutch team. The exact results of the test remain unclear, and although Dillema looked a bit like a man, most do not doubt she is a woman. Most of the other women on the team at the time suspect it was an attempt by Jan and Fanny Blankers to eliminate a possible opponent, although this has never been confirmed.

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The same year, she almost repeated her Olympic performance at the European Championships in Brussels. She won the titles in the 100 m, 200 m and 80 m hurdles all with large margins of victory (four tenths or more), but narrowly missed out on a fourth win in the relay, which was won by the British team.

Related Topics:
European Championships - Brussels

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At age 34, she took part in her third Olympics, which were held in Helsinki. Although she was in good shape, she was severely hampered by a boil on her buttocks. She qualified for the 100 m semi-finals, but forfeited a start to save herself for the hurdles event. She reached the final in that event, but after knocking over the second hurdle, she abandoned the race. It was her last major competition. On August 7, 1955, Fanny Blankers-Koen was victorious for the last time, winning the national title in the shot put, her 58th Dutch title.

Related Topics:
Third Olympics - Helsinki - August 7 - 1955 - Shot put

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