It follows the exclusive revelation on insidethegames earlier today that the Dutch runner known as the "Flying Housewife" had not been included among the 361 names on the original design.

Alex Trickett, the former international sports editor of the BBC website, and sports historian David Brooks somehow overlooked Blankers-Koen even though in 1999 she had been voted the female athlete of the 20th Century.

An embarrassed Trickett claimed Blankers-Koen, who had gold medals in the 100 metres, 200m, 80m hurdles and 4x100m relay at London in 1948, had been on the original list of "must-have" names but had accidentally "fallen off".

"We started this process with 500 names and a decent chunk of those were in red as 'must-have' names and she was one of them," said Trickett, now a creative strategist at design and events company Imagination.

"Then when we were trying to get the 500 down to 361 and moving them around the Tube, she regrettably 'fell off'.

"We have issued an apology to her family and her fans.

"We know she's a legend."


Transport for London (TfL), who commissioned the map, have now said that they will make sure she is included in the next print run.

The Dutch Embassy in London had been among those demanding to know why Blankers-Koen had not been included.

"With 361 stations and many thousands of athletes to choose from unfortunately there were always going to be some sportspeople who would not make it on to the map," TfL marketing director Chris Macleod told insidethegames.

"However, we apologise if any offence has been caused by the omission of Fanny Blankers-Koen, who was clearly a remarkable athlete. We are speaking to the publisher of the map to ensure that she features in the next re-print."

TfL said nobody already on the map would be removed.

Instead American runner Mary Decker, a convicted drugs cheat, and Britain's South African-born Zola Budd, whose dreams of an Olympic medal were dashed when they infamously collided in the 3,000 metres final at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, will be moved to "share" a Tube station, creating space for Blankers-Koen.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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