Five facts about…..Marlou van Rhijn
20.09.2015The Dutch blade runner is aiming to defend her 100m and 200m world titles at October’s IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Marlou van Rhijn celebrates after winning the womens 200m T44 final at the IPC Athletics European Championships at Swansea.
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She may only be 23 years-old, but the Netherlands’ Marlou van Rhijn is widely regarded as one of the biggest stars in Paralympic sport after winning multiple titles in recent years.
Ahead of Doha 2015, here are five facts you might not know about her.
1. Before taking up athletics, Van Rhijn was a keen and talented swimmer, competing in the IPC Swimming World Championships in South Africa in 2006.
2. The 23-year-old has been in record breaking form this year. She has broken her 100m world record three times and her 200m T43 twice. Her fastest unofficial time over 100m is 12.78 seconds whilst over200m she clocked 25.64 in Paris.
3. In 2014 Van Rhijn signed up to feature in Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ campaign. She has also starred in adverts for BP and Tag Heuer, given a TED Talk and appeared on the cover of Women’s Health magazine.
4. The Dutchwoman has won nine major championship medals – finishing on the podium at every major event she has competed in since the 2012 European Championships.
5. Van Rhijn is an Ambassador for the Cruyff Foundation and has a playground in the Netherlands named after her.
The IPC Athletics World Championships will take place in Doha, Qatar, between 21-31 October, attracting 1,400 athletes from 100 countries.
