- Ada Kok
Aagje ("Ada") Kok (born
6 June 1947 inAmsterdam ,Noord-Holland ) is a former swimmer who ranked among the world's best in thebutterfly stroke category during the 1960s.Her international career started in 1962 when, at the age of fifteen, she took the European title in the 100 m butterfly in Leipzig. She was also part of the victorious 4×100 m relay team. At the
Tokyo Olympics two years later she finished second in both events. She was also good infreestyle swimming , a fact which showed when she took second place in the 400 metres at the 1966 European Championships in Utrecht. In the same tournament she also won the 100 m butterfly and the 4×100 m relay. She achieved nine world records between 1963 and 1967 in the 100 m and 200 m (not introduced until later).Kok reached her peak at the
1968 Summer Olympics inMexico City . She won gold in the 200 m butterfly in a time of 2:24.7, beating East GermanHelga Lindner by 0.1 seconds. The 100 m in Mexico ended in disappointment for her. She did not feel well physically and only came fourth.cquote|Normally after a race there were always people around me. This time nobody. Nobody. I suddenly felt so abandoned and alone. Then under the shower I lost control and cried my eyes out.'
For the 200 m final I was so stiff and rigid that I couldn't even see myself getting my tracksuit bottoms off. My fingers couldn't get the zip undone. An official had to help me with it. I don't remember anything now of the first hundred metres. It's a black hole. Well anyway, after 150 metres I was in the lead. Twenty metres from the finish I saw someone (Lindner) catching up with me. I thought: Jesus, no, she's not getting past me. Fortunately I was able to keep in front'.
In her memoirs recorded by Henk Lichtenveldt she said:
ee also
*
World record progression 100 metres butterfly
*World record progression 200 metres butterfly References
* [http://www.sport.nl/olympischarchief/home.php3/ Dutch Olympic Committee]
Persondata
NAME=Kok, Aagje
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Olympic swimmer
DATE OF BIRTH=6 June ,1947
PLACE OF BIRTH=Amsterdam ,Noord-Holland
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=
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