Nel Karelse

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameNeeltje Jannetje "Nel"•Karelse
Used nameNel•Karelse
Born25 January 1926 in Kortgene, Zeeland (NED)
Died20 October 2015 in Breda, Noord-Brabant (NED)
AffiliationsDe Zeeuwen, Vlissingen (NED)
NOC Netherlands

Biography

Nel Karelse was a sprinter and long jumper active in the post war era. In 1947, she joined the training group of Fanny Blankers-Koen, led by that sprinter’s husband, Jan Blankers. It helped her qualify for the 1948 Olympics in two events, the 200 m and the long jump - her top event. In London, she qualified for the long jump final with her last jump. In the final, she managed a 5th place, just behind her compatriot Gerda van der Kade-Koudijs and cm behind the bronze medalist. Karelse won just a single Dutch title, mostly due to the dominance of Blankers-Koen. In 1949, she won the 200 m title.

Personal Bests: 200 – 25.2 (1948); LJ – 5.715 (1948).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Athletics NED Nel Karelse
200 metres, Women (Olympic) 5 h2 r2/3
Long Jump, Women (Olympic) 5