Mia Gommers
Encyclopedia
Maria Francisca Philomena Hoogakker-Gommers (born September 26, 1939 in Stein, Limburg
) is a former Dutch
athlete, who competed mainly in the 800 metres
.
She was the second female world record-holder over 1500 metres
in October 1967 at Sittard
(The Netherlands), breaking the record of Anne Rosemary Smith
, who set the record in June of that year, by almost two seconds.
Gommers competed for The Netherlands in the 1968 Olympics
held in Mexico City
, Mexico
in the 800 metres, where she won the bronze medal
.
On June 14, 1969 she also broke Smith's world record on the mile in an event in Leicester
. At the 1969 European Championships in Athletics
in Athens
on September 20, 1969, she ran below Paola Pigni's new 1500 m record, but was beaten to the finish by Jaroslava Jehlickova.
Stein, Limburg
Stein is a municipality and a city in the southeastern Netherlands. The municipality has 25660 inhabitants and covers an area of 22.77 square km ....
) is a former Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
athlete, who competed mainly in the 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
.
She was the second female world record-holder over 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
in October 1967 at Sittard
Sittard
Sittard is a city in the Dutch province of Limburg, which is the southernmost province of the Netherlands.On the east Sittard borders on Germany . It has some 48,400 inhabitants . Sittard is part of the municipality of Sittard-Geleen...
(The Netherlands), breaking the record of Anne Rosemary Smith
Anne Rosemary Smith
Anne Rosemary Smith was a sprinter and middle distance runner, who specialised in the 1500m and mile events. She represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic games, reaching the final in the 800m event...
, who set the record in June of that year, by almost two seconds.
Gommers competed for The Netherlands in the 1968 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...
held 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...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in the 800 metres, where she won the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
.
On June 14, 1969 she also broke Smith's world record on the mile in an event in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
. At the 1969 European Championships in Athletics
1969 European Championships in Athletics
The 9th European Athletics Championships were held from 16 September to 21 September 1969 in the Karaiskaki Stadium of Athens, the capital of Greece. New at these championships were the women's 1,500 metres and the women's 4x400 metres relay event....
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
on September 20, 1969, she ran below Paola Pigni's new 1500 m record, but was beaten to the finish by Jaroslava Jehlickova.