Fanny Blankers-Koen.

Fanny Blankers-Koen. Fanny Blankers-Koen (1918-2004), Dutch track-and-field athlete, who won four gold medals at the 1948 Olympic Games. She is considered one of the greatest female athletes in history. Born Francina Elsje Koen in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, she first participated in the Olympics at the 1936 games, held in Berlin, Germany. She competed in the high jump event and as a member of the 4 x 100-meter relay team, but did not win a medal. She married her coach, former Dutch track-and-field athlete Jan Blankers, in 1940. Blankers-Koen's athletic career was then interrupted because of World War II (1939-1945). After the war, however, at the 1946 European championship track meet in Oslo, Norway, she won the 80-meter hurdles event and was a member of the winning 4 x 100-meter relay team. At the 1948 Olympics Blankers-Koen won the 80-meter hurdles event and the 100-meter and 200-meter races. She was also a member of the winning 4 x 100-meter relay team. Two years later, at the 1950 European championships in Belgium, she won the 80-meter hurdles event and the 100-meter and 200-meter races. During her career Blankers-Koen set a number of world records, including the 80-meter hurdles, 100-meter dash, high jump, and long jump. She also won 58 Dutch national titles in individual events. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.