Carry Geijssen

Cornelia Catharina Geijssen, known as Carry Geijssen, was born on January 11, 1947, in the Netherlands. She emerged as a prominent figure in the world of speed skating, showcasing her talent early on by winning silver at the Dutch Allround Championships in 1965, a remarkable achievement she would replicate in 1967 and 1968. Her dedication and skill culminated in her becoming the Dutch Allround Champion in 1966.

Geijssen's international acclaim soared when she competed at the 1968 World Allround Championships in Helsinki, where she secured a bronze medal, contributing to a podium that was entirely Dutch. This success set the stage for her historic performance at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, where she made history by becoming the first Dutch Olympic Champion in speed skating, clinching gold in the 1,000 meters with a new Olympic record.

Her Olympic journey continued as she earned a silver medal in the 1,500 meters, finishing just 0.3 seconds behind the winner, Kaija Mustonen. Following her Olympic triumphs, Geijssen remained active in the sport for several more years, although she did not achieve any further major results before retiring from speed skating in 1971.

After her athletic career, Carry Geijssen married cyclist Rien Langkruis and later lived in Indonesia and Canada. She is also known as the younger sister of fellow speed skater Bep Geijssen, further highlighting the family's contribution to the sport.