Mary Kok

Mary Kok (born in 1940 in Hilversum) is a renowned Dutch swimmer. Between 1954 and 1957 she set ten world records from the young age of 15 to 17 years old. WORLD RECORDS: 10

• 440yd freestyle *880yd freestyle *800m freestyle *1760yd freestyle *100yd butterfly *100m butterfly *400yd Individual Medley *400m individual medley 1 relay.[1] Mary Kok was to swim in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne for the Dutch Olympic Team until the night before she was to depart when the Netherlands boycott the athletic competition to make a statement of Russia's invasion of Hungary[2] In 2016 Mary Kok, along with other athletes whose athletic careers were affected by the boycott were honored by the Hungarian government. Mary was so touched by the recognition that she mentioned in a speech, she always felt that her gold medal was at the bottom of the swimming pool in Melbourne, but that the Hungarian people gave her the feeling that the honorary medal was given to her wholeheartedly.[3] In 1960, Mary Kok became first Dutch woman to cross the English Channel[4]

Mary Kok in 1961

In 1955, she became the Dutch Sportsman of the year and in 1980, inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.[4]

On 28 December 1962, she married Kees Oudegeest,[5] and later became a swimming coach.[6]

Recently, in 2015, Mary Kok was invited by the Dutch Sports Federation to be recognized at their annual Athlete of the Year event. Mary won athlete of the year in 1955 at the age of 15 years old.