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The Unstoppable Athlete Who Flew Past History: Fanny Blankers-Koen's
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Publisher: Michael Webster
Published: Oct 27 2025
Pages: 168
Weight: 0.44
Height: 0.39 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
THE FLYING HOUSEWIFE: Fanny Blankers-Koen and the Race to Redefine Women's Sports
In 1948, the world was rebuilding. But at the London Olympics, one woman didn't just compete-she exploded the limits of what a woman could be.
Francina Fanny Blankers-Koen, a thirty-year-old Dutch mother of two, arrived in post-war London carrying the weight of a nation and facing a chorus of critics who argued she was too old, too domestic, and biologically unfit for elite sport.
What followed was an unprecedented performance: four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 80m hurdles, and the relay-a feat unmatched in its versatility and revolutionary in its impact.
This is the definitive, comprehensive biography of the Flying Housewife. It traces her life from her disciplined farm roots and secret wartime training to her unparalleled run of twelve world records. It reveals the strategic partnership with her coach, husband, and manager, Jan Blankers, and analyzes how her triumph became the ultimate feminist statement, shattering entrenched prejudice and laying the foundation for modern women's athletics. Approx.168 pages, 33000 word count
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