Lis Hartel

Stockholm, 16 June 1956: the medallists of the equestrian individual dressage: Lis HARTEL from Denmark on Jubilee, 2nd, Henri SAINT CYR from Sweden on July, 1st, and Liselott LINSENHOFF from Germany on Adular, 3rd. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections


Born: 14 March 1921

Birthplace: Not available

Nationality: Denmark

Sport: Equestrian

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Helsinki 1952

Melbourne / Stockholm 1956

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Silver: 2

Overcoming Paralysis



Women won the right to compete in Olympic dressage for the first time in 1952. One of these pioneers was Lis Hartel of Denmark. In 1944 Hartel, then a 23-year-old pregnant mother, was paralysed by polio. Gradually she reactivated most of her muscles, although she remained paralysed below the knees.

After three years of rehabilitation, she was able to compete in the Scandinavian riding championships and finished second in women's dressage. In 1952, she was chosen to represent Denmark in the Helsinki Olympics. Even though she had to be helped on and off her horse, she responded by earning the silver medal. Four years later, she won another silver medal in Stockholm in 1956.