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Blankers-Koen celebrated her third gold medal in London by going on a shopping spree, and she nearly missed the 4x100‑meter relay race. She arrived at Wembley Stadium just 10 minutes before her race, and her teammates had already warmed up. It didn’t faze Blankers-Koen, however, as she took the baton and anchored the Dutch to a come-from-behind win. LONDON SHOPPING SPREE

The Dutch sprinter also ran the anchor leg on the 4x100-meter relay team, taking the baton in fourth place and sprinting her way to cross the finish line first, giving her four gold medals in four events, a record for a woman in track and field at a single Games. Blankers-Koen returned home to a hero’s welcome. Her feats achieved in 1948 make her one of the greatest Olympians in modern history.

MORE THAN A SPR I NTER

Blankers-Koen missed a chance at two Olympic Games because of World War II, but she won six European titles—five sprints and one relay—and she set or tied 12 world records, including the long jump and high jump. An excellent athlete as a child, she also competed in swimming, fencing, tennis, ice skating, and gymnastics.

Fanny Blankers-Koen • Netherlands Track and Field

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