Frans Künen, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Frans Künen

Olympic athlete

Date of Birth: 17-Apr-1930

Place of Birth: Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands

Date of Death: 23-Nov-2011

Profession: long-distance runner, athletics competitor

Nationality: Kingdom of the Netherlands

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Franciscus Josephus Henricus "Frans" Künen (17 April 1930 – 23 November 2011) was a Dutch long-distance runner.
He competed in the marathon at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and finished in 36th place.
He held the Dutch records in the 10,000 m from 1956 to 1958 and in the Marathon from 1960 to 1969. Künen started training in running at age 20, while working as a sports instructor at the Dutch Air Force.
In 1956, he set a national record in the 10,000 m and won a national cross-country title.
Later he became national champion in the 10,000 m (1959, 1961) and marathon (1960).
The 1960 title was his first attempt at marathon, and it set a new national record.
Internationally, Künen competed in country matches and International Military Championships, winning the 5,000 m in 1956.
His best achievement at the International Cross Country Championships (forerunner of the World Championships) was 21st place in 1957.