Anky van Grunsven became the recipient of the prestigious Fanny Blankers-Koen Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Sport Gala hosted by the Dutch Olympic Sports Committee (NOC-NSF) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on 18 December 2012.
Van Grunsven is the eleventh Dutch athlete to receive this career award. Previous recipients are Johan Cruijff (soccer), Anton Geesink (judo), Sjoukje Dijkstra (figure skating), Ard Schenk (speed skating), Nico Rienks (rowing), Peter Blangé (volleyball), Leontien van Moorsel (cycling), Pieter van den Hoogenband (swimming), Inge de Bruijn (swimming) and Edwin van der Sar (soccer).
Dressage rider Van Grunsven is the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Champion and won team bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games on her 18-year old Hanoverian gelding Salinero, with whom she won individual gold in 2004 and 2008.
At the gala ball Anky said, "I don't know if I will go on, but I'll think about it tomorrow" after receiving the award from Edwin van der Sar.
Dutch Olympic silver medallist Adelinde Cornelissen was nominated for the Female Athlete of the Year award but it was won by swimming champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo.
Source: NOS
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