Willy Den Ouden - Sprint Swimming Pioneer Who Remains The Youngest Dutch Olympic Medallist
In 1935, Den Ouden held all 10 World freestyle records of the day over distances from 100y to 500m. Her father had beer mats made with the text 'Willy den Ouden Olympic champion' on the way to Berlin 1936. He wasn't wrong - it was just a case of 'not in the event everyone had in mind'.
Willemijntje den Ouden (born in Rotterdam, 1 January 1918; passed in Rotterdam, 6 December 1997) held the 100m freestyle world record for nearly 23 years, from 1933 to 1956 and remains the youngest Dutch swimmer ever to claim an Olympic medal, with gold and silver aged 14 in 1932.
A celebration of her excellent swimming career and life follows...
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