Bea Ballintijn took up swimming prior to World War II and won her first two Norwegian national titles in the 100 metres backstroke in 1938 and 1939. She resumed competition after the conflict and captured that title six more consecutive times from 1946 through 1951. During that time, she also represented her country in that event at the 1948 London Olympics, where she was eliminated in round one. She won four other national titles in the 100 metres freestlye (1946 and 1947), 100 metres breaststroke and 200 metres breaststroke (both in 1947). She was also runner-up in the 400 metres freestyle in 1947, the 100 metres freestyle in 1948, and the 100 metres backstroke in 1952, although she did not attend the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Just before the London Games, she married Francis Stenersen, who won several Norwegian diving championships.
Norway