Janus van der Zande

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameAdrianus "Janus"•van der Zande
Used nameJanus•van der Zande
Born16 September 1924 in Halsteren, Noord-Brabant (NED)
Died7 August 2016
AffiliationsOlympia, Halsteren (NED)
NOC Netherlands

Biography

Janus van der Zande started out as a footballer, turning to distance running in his early twenties. He first came to prominence nationally in 1950, when he broke the Dutch record for 25 km, which he would do 4 more times over the next 4 years. From 1952-1954, he won the national marathon title and qualified for the major international championships. Both at the Helsinki Olympics (1952) and the Bern European Championships (1954), he bettered the Dutch national record, but did not come close to the medals, placing 15th and 7th respectively. Van der Zande won more Dutch titles in the 10.000 m (1953) and 25 km (1953, 1955), and won the 1955 Rotterdam marathon. Physical problems caused him to miss out on participation in the 1956 Games - although the Dutch go on to boycott these Games - and also marked the end of his career. A baker, Van der Zande kept running well into old age.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-29:19 (1954).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Athletics NED Janus van der Zande
Marathon, Men (Olympic) 15