5 Facts About...Marlou van Rhijn

Dutch sprinter Marlou van Rhijn goes for double sprint gold in the 100m and 200m T44 at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, Great Britain, which start in just two weeks’ time (14-23 July). What do you know about the woman nicknamed ‘Blade Babe’?

Five Facts About Marlou van Rhijn

1. Originally a competitive swimmer – she competed at the 2006 World Championships – by 2010 van Rhijn had stepped away from the sport to focus on her studies.

2. Within a year she was approached to try Para athletics; within two years, she had won 200m T44 gold at the London 2012 Paralympics.

3. She has a perfect record in the World Championships – two championships, four events, four gold medals.

4. Van Rhijn’s heroes are American athlete Allyson Felix and tennis legend Serena Williams.

5. The 25-year-old holds the world records in the 100m, 200m and 400m T43 and is an Ambassador for the Johan Cruyff Foundation.