HENGELO, Netherlands (AP) — It was fitting that Dafne Schippers streaked away from her rivals to set the fastest 200-meter time in the world this year at the wet, windy and chilly FBK Stadion.
The stadium was named in honor of the great Fanny Blankers-Koen, who won four Olympic sprint titles at the 1948 London Games.
One close observer who can compare the Dutch sprinters is Jan Blankers, the 74-year-old son of the national legend, who told The Associated Press of Schippers: "Her style, her build. She reminds me of my mother."
The similarities are giving sports fans in the Netherlands hope for gold on the track in Rio de Janeiro.