Hetty Balkenende

Who is Hetty Balkenende?

Hetty Balkenende is a former freestyle swimmer and synchronized swimmer from the Netherlands who won a silver medal in the 4×100 m freestyle relay at the 1954 European Aquatics Championships. In 1955, she helped the Dutch team to set the world record in the same event; she also won two national titles, and broke two national records in the 400 m freestyle – all in one year.

After retiring from competitive swimming she switched to synchronized swimming and competed at the 1963 European Championships. She married Jens Svensson on 15 April 1967.