Charles Hamelin - 2006 Turin and 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games

In April 1972, with a few minutes left on the Moon during their Apollo 16 mission, American astronaut Charles Duke and his commander John Young decided to do a few high-jump exercises in what they called the “Lunar Olympics” to celebrate the Olympic year.

Charles Hamelin competing at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. Copyright : 2010 / IOC / John HUET - All rights reserved.

Charles Hamelin of Canada celebrates with Marianne St-Gelais after wiining the Short Track Men's 1500m Final.

Charles Hamelin of Canada celebrates after winning the Short Track Men's 1500m Final.

Charles Hamelin of Canada celebrates during the medal ceremony for the Men’s 1500m Short Track Speed Skating

Charles Hamelin competing Short Track Speed Skating 500m Men at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. © 2010/ IOC/John Huet - All rights reserved.

Charles Hamelin competing Short Track Speed Skating 500m Men at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. © 2010/ IOC/Jason Evans - All rights reserved.

In August 1948, the 30-year-old Fanny Blankers-Koen won an astonishing 11 races in eight days as she claimed four gold medals at the London Olympic Games and changed the perception of women’s sport forever. It is little wonder world-renowned Dutch athletics coach Charles Van Commenee labels his compatriot as the “greatest sports person we have ever produced as a nation”.