Use the menu below to read our biographies of the century's greatest sportswomen and then tell us who you think should be No. 1. Also, be sure to check out our expanded home page and our new issue which is on newsstands now.

1918-
First woman to win four golds at a single Olympics

Blankers-Koen remained humble in victory.  AP

Francina Koen was 18 when at the 1936 Berlin Games she experienced her first Olympic highlight: approaching U.S. legend Jesse Owens and asking for an autograph. The shy Dutch teenager placed sixth in the 100-meter dash in Berlin, but lost the decade of her athletic prime to a World War and two cancelled Olympics. At the 1948 London Games, Koen won an unprecedented four gold medals, though she nearly went home midway through the competition after European tabloids criticized her for not being a proper housewife and mother. Koen had won the 100 meters and 80-meter hurdles in London when she told her husband and coach Jan Blankers that she wanted to return to Holland to be with their two sons. After Blankers convinced her that she would regret leaving, "The Flying Dutchwoman" captured golds in the 200 meters and 4x100-meter relay. She might have won more medals, but the world-record holder in the long jump and high jump and Dutch champ in the javelin was limited to three individual events by IOC rules. After the Games, Koen returned home a national heroine; local fans honored her achievement by giving her the gift of a bicycle so she wouldn't have to run so much. At the age of 81, Blankers-Koen lives in Amsterdam where she still plays tennis and rides her bike daily.

They Said It: "I couldn't understand why people made such a fuss (at my welcome home parade). I only hoped my children wouldn't be mad for leaving them alone." --Blankers-Koen

--Brian Cazeneuve

Athletes were selected by Sports Illustrated For Women, Sports Illustrated and CNN/SI editors, writers and correspondents who considered the athletes' on-field performance and achievements, plus their contributions to women's sports. Because athletic achievement was a key criterion, women whose contributions were made solely in administration and coaching are not included.

Copyright © 2000 CNN/Sports Illustrated. An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.