Gerda van der Kade-Koudijs

As a Dutch sprinter and long jumper in the era of Fanny Blankers-Koen, Gerda van der Kade-Koudijs was both hampered by her famous compatriot and benefited from her presence. During her career, she “only” captured three Dutch titles, winning the 200 m twice (1942-43) and the long jump once (1943). However, along with Blankers-Koen, she celebrated many successes in the relay, winning the 4 x 100 m at the 1946 European Championships and the 1948 Olympics (along with Xenia Stad-de Jong and Nettie Witziers-Timmer). In the relay, she also broke a few world records, albeit in uncommon distances like the 4 x 110 y and the 4 x 200 m. Individually, Van der Kade-Koudijs’ greatest success came in 1946, when she won the gold medal in the long jump at the European Championships. In London, she just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth at half a centimeter from the podium.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.9 (1944); 80H – 11.4 (1946); LJ – 5.76 (1947).