Karen Harup

Karen Harup
Karen Harup in 1947
Personal information
Born20 November 1924
Skovshoved, Denmark
Died9 July 2009(2009-07-09) (aged 84)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Sport
SportSwimming
ClubDKG, København
Medal record
Representing  Denmark
Olympic Games
1948 London100 m backstroke
1948 London400 m freestyle
1948 London4×100 m freestyle
European Championships
1947 Monte Carlo400 m freestyle
1947 Monte Carlo100 m backstroke
1947 Monte Carlo4×100 m freestyle

Karen Margrethe Harup Petersen (20 November 1924 – 9 July 2009) was a Danish swimmer. She competed in four events at the 1948 Summer Olympics and won three medals: a gold in the 100 m backstroke and silvers in the 400 m and 4 × 100 m freestyle, placing fourth in the 100 m freestyle.

She won three more gold medals at the 1947 European Championships. During her career she held 30 national titles and set two world records in freestyle relay events. In 1949, she retired from competitions and started a five decades long career of a swimming coach. In 1975, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.