Marlou van Rhijn
Marlou van Rhijn is one of the most recognisable Para-athletes in the world. Gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and two-times World champion in 2013, she is one of the global stars of athletics. She is on top of the world.
Marlou is the world record holder for T44/T43 100m, 200m and 400m. However her career in sport could have been very different. Until 2009, she was an integral part of the Dutch national Paralympic swimming team and competed at the World and European Championships.
She then decided to focus on her studies and stopped swimming altogether. Her Paralympic career took off again after she met the Dutch Athletics Federation coach, who invited her to try track and field events.
From the point she received her running blades, she was hooked and now she is the world’s fastest woman on blades.
“I want to do something special in Rio – hopefully I can win a few gold medals as well as provide inspiration and support to the next generation of Paralympians.”
That’s exactly what she did. Marlou won two medals in Rio 2016, bringing home gold on the 100m and the 200m.
Key competitive achievements:
| Paralympic Games | IPC World Championships | IPC European Championships |
|---|---|---|
| Rio 2016 | Lyon 2013 | Stadskanaal 2012 |
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| London 2012 | Swansea 2014 | |
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| Doha 2015 | ||
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Nationality: Dutch
Year of birth: 1991
Sport: Athletics - 100m and 200m
Classification: T44
Coach: Purcy Marte
Club: STAP
Career highlights: Winning gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in London, two World titles and four-time European champion. She is also the world record holder for the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Technology
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The Games: 30 years of Paralympics
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Ottobock at the Games
Ottobock has been a partner to the Paralympic Games providing technical service since 1988. Read more about the history of the Games and this unique role.