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Four Gold Medals at 1948 Olympics World War II ravaged Europe and caused the cancelation of the Olympic Games in 1940 and again in 1944. So with the Games resuming in London in 1948, the world clamored to see who would be the next international star.

A 30-year-old mother of two from the Netherlands not only stepped up to the challenge, but she also literally ran away with it.

Fanny Blankers-Koen was told she was too old to compete, and some even said she should stay home and take care of her children. Ultimately, she not only competed, but she also dominated the London Games.

Blankers-Koen held world records in six different track and field events before London, but she could choose to enter only up to four Olympic events. Instead of taking the easy road, she chose the four most competitive events.

She started with the 100 meters and won with relative ease. With a gold medal in hand, she wanted to return home to Utrecht. Jan Blankers, who was both her husband and coach, convinced her to stay.

Blankers-Koen won the 80-meter hurdles and then the 200 meters by 0.7 seconds—a mammoth margin for a short race.

The Summer Olympics: Record Breakers

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