The Netherlands may be almost entirely flat, but the country has experienced numerous highs in its Olympic history.

Cyclist Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel was a four-time Olympic champion between 1992 and 2004.

Blankers-Koen dominated the track and field at the 1948 London Games, and her four gold medals have never been matched by a female in the sport. More amazing, however, was that she could have won even more.

Blankers-Koen was 30 years old and a mother of two at the time, her Olympic career interrupted by World War II. Going into the Games she was the world record holder in high jump and long jump, but after winning gold in the 100m, 200m, 80m hurdles and 100m relay, she was barred from competing in her two favorites due to rules limiting athletes to three individual disciplines.

Dubbed the "flying housewife" on account of her unassuming personality, Blankers-Koen was greeted with a hero's welcome by a huge crowd on return to Amsterdam, and neighbors gave her a bicycle to encourage her "to go through life at a slower pace".

Fanny Blankers-Koen(first from right)competes in the 80m hurdles in 1948 London Games.

Blankers-Koen may have been the first woman to win four golds at an Olympic Games, but she was not the first to win four medals: That feat was achieved by compatriot Rie Mastenbroek in 1936, with the help of a box of chocolates.

The 17-year-old swimmer from Rotterdam won gold in 50m and 4/100m freestyle, and was only denied gold in the 200m backstroke when she became tangled in the lane ropes.

De Bruijin(left) had a short but brilliant swimming career.

Rie promised herself that she would take revenge in the pool: Hveger led throughout the race, but with 25m to go, Mastenbroek pulled ahead with a now trademark late burst and won by one meter.

The Netherlands' tradition of excellence in the pool was thus established, and they continue to produce gold winning athletes. The two most heralded of recent times are Pieter van den Hoogenband and Inge de Bruijin.

Van den Hoogenband won three gold, two silver and two bronze in 2000 and 2004, and his world record-breaking duels with Australian Ian Thorpe provided some of the most exciting pool action in living memory.

De Bruijin meanwhile showed incredible longevity in a sport famed for its short career-span, first appearing at the 1992 Barcelona Games but having to wait until 2000 to win her first medal. She also won gold in 2004 to bring her total to four.

As a nation that comes a close second to China in association with bicycles, it is little wonder that the Dutch have enjoyed success in Olympic cycling events.

The most heralded athlete is Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel, who overcame eating disorders to become a four-time Olympic champion between 1992 and 2004.