Athletics at the 1948 London Summer Games:

Just looking at the results, Fanny Blankers-Koen's victory in the 200 metres was the easiest. Her margin of victory over Audrey Williamson of 7 tenths is the largest ever in the event. But after the heats, Blankers-Koen had to combat a severe bout of home-sickness. She was sick of all the media attention and pressure, and wanted to go home to her two children. Only after a long talk with her coach and husband, 1928 Olympian Jan Blankers, she decided to start the semi-finals. Her eyes still red from the tears, she dominated her race. On a wet and muddy track, she paced to a third gold medal the next day.

Third placed Audrey Patterson is noted as the first Afro-American woman to win an Olympic medal; high jumper Alice Coachman won the first gold medal the next day. However, it was later revealed that Patterson actually had finished in fourth place, as the finish photo clearly showed Shirley Strickland crossing the line earlier.