Lia Hinten-Louer

As a junior athlete, Lia Hinten attended the 1960 Rome Olympics, and vowed to compete herself in four years time. She initially specialized in the hurdles, but also competed as a pentathlete and sprinter, winning Dutch titles in the 80 m hurdles (1962-65), pentathlon (1963) and 200 m (1964). Although Hinten qualified for Tokyo 1964, she suffered a knee injury while warming up for the pentathlon, leading to a disappointing 14th place, and a forfeit in the hurdles contest. A switch to the 400 metres proved successful internationally: Hinten reached the final of the 1966 European Championships, and placed second in the 1967 European Indoor Championships. That same year she also bettered the European 400 m record (indoor).

Now under her married name Louer, she was considered a medal contender for Mexico 1968, but she never competed. After arriving in Mexico, Louer felt nauseous, and during a visit to the team doctor discovered she was pregnant. She decided not to compete, later stating that “I don’t regret my decision. When I look at my son, I think, ‘That’s my gold medal’.”

Personal Best: Pen – 4534 (1964).