Fanny Blankers-Koen

The final on 6 August was again held in the pouring rain but Blankers-Koen completed the inaugural Olympic 200 m for women in 24. World War II
Just prior to the invasion Koen had become engaged and on 29 August 1940 Fanny Blankers-Koen married Jan Blankers thereby changing her name to Blankers-Koen. The same year Fanny Blankers-Koen almost repeated her Olympic performance at the European Championships in Brussels.

Her background and performances earned her the nickname "the Flying Housewife". Her Olympic victories are credited with helping to demolish the convention that age and motherhood were a barrier to success in women's sport.