Bertha Brouwer facts for kids
Puck Brouwer in 1950
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | 29 October 1930 Leidschendam, the Netherlands |
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| Died | 6 October 2006 (aged 75) Oostvoorne, the Netherlands |
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| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Sprint | |||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Celebes, Den Haag | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Bertha "Puck" Brouwer (born 29 October 1930, died 6 October 2006) was a very fast Dutch runner. People knew her by her nickname, Puck. She was a top sprinter who won several important medals for her country.
Contents
Puck Brouwer's Early Success
Puck Brouwer first became famous in 1950. She was part of the Dutch team at the 1950 European Athletics Championships in Brussels. Her team ran in the 4×100 metres relay race. They won a silver medal! Another famous Dutch runner, Fanny Blankers-Koen, was also on that team.
European Championship Medals
Puck continued to show her speed. In 1954, she competed again at the 1954 European Athletics Championships in Bern, Switzerland. This time, she ran in the 100 metres race. She finished second and earned another silver medal. This showed she was one of the best sprinters in Europe.
The Olympic Dream
Puck Brouwer had a big dream: to compete in the Olympic Games. She got her chance at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. She entered three different running events. These were the 100 metres, 200 metres, and the 4×100 metres relay.
Winning Olympic Silver
At the 1952 Olympics, Puck ran incredibly well in the 200 metres race. She pushed herself to the limit and finished second. This amazing effort earned her an Olympic silver medal! It was a huge achievement for her and for the Netherlands.
A Disappointing End
Puck Brouwer was ready for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. She was a strong member of the Dutch team. She even traveled all the way to Melbourne to prepare for the Games.
The Boycott
However, something unexpected happened. The Netherlands decided to boycott, or not take part in, the 1956 Olympics. This was because of political reasons happening in the world at that time. Puck, who was already in Australia, had to go home without competing. She was very disappointed.
Retirement from Running
After this big disappointment, Puck Brouwer decided to stop competing in professional races. She retired from athletics shortly after returning from Melbourne. Even though her career ended unexpectedly, she left a legacy as a talented sprinter with multiple international medals.
