Ada Kok
Encyclopedia
Aagje Kok (born 6 June 1947 in Amsterdam
, Noord-Holland) is a former swimmer who ranked among the world's best in the butterfly 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 silver 4×100 m medley relay team. At the Tokyo Olympics two years later she finished second in both events. She was also good at freestyle swimming
, 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
in Mexico City
. She won the gold medal in the 200 m butterfly in a time of 2:24.7, beating East German Helga 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.
In her memoirs recorded by Henk Lichtenveldt she said:
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Noord-Holland) is a former swimmer who ranked among the world's best in the butterfly stroke
Butterfly stroke
The butterfly is a swimming stroke swum on the breast, with both arms moving simultaneously. The butterfly kick was developed separately, and is also known as the "dolphin kick"...
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 silver 4×100 m medley relay team. At the Tokyo Olympics two years later she finished second in both events. She was also good at freestyle swimming
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
, which showed when she took second place in the 400 metres at the 1966 European Championships in Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
. 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
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. She won the gold medal in the 200 m butterfly in a time of 2:24.7, beating East German Helga Lindner
Helga Lindner
Helga Lindner is a German swimmer. Born in Chemnitz, East Germany, she competed for East Germany in the 1968 Summer Olympics....
by 0.1 seconds. The 100 m in Mexico ended in disappointment for her. She did not feel well physically and only came fourth.
In her memoirs recorded by Henk Lichtenveldt she said:
See also
- World record progression 100 metres butterflyWorld record progression 100 metres butterflyThe first world record in the 100 metres butterfly in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1957, for both men and women...
- World record progression 200 metres butterflyWorld record progression 200 metres butterflyThe first world record in the men's 200 metres butterfly in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1959. The women's official acknowledged top time came one year earlier...