Olympic heroes, No 5: Fanny Blankers-Koen

Published on 19/06/2012 02:50

AS A 30-year-old mother of two, Fanny Blankers-Koen seemed an unlikely candidate to set an Olympic record which stands to this day.

However, at the 1948 London Olympics, the ‘Flying Housewife’ emerged victorious in the 100m, 200m, 80m hurdles and 4x100m relay – the only female athlete to win four gold medals at a single Olympics.

The Dutch athlete – who drew criticism ahead of her record-breaking performance for neglecting her children and household duties – had first competed at the 1936 Olympics, but with the 1940 and 1944 Games falling victim of the Second World War, her age seemed likely to count against her in London. However, her extraordinary achievement underlined a versatility which saw her set 20 world records during a glittering career.

Blankers-Koen, who died in 2004 aged 85, was voted the greatest female athlete of the 20th Century by the International Association of Athletics Federation.