Background
Van Langen was born in Oldenzaal, Overijssel.
Van Langen was born in Oldenzaal, Overijssel.
She has a degree in economics from the University of Amsterdam. Before she started running she played football. In 1990, she finished fourth in the final of the European Championships in Split, with 1:57.57.
After her Olympic triumph, she was plagued by various injuries.
Her best result after 1992 was a 6th-place finish at the 1995 World Championships. She retired from the sport in 1998.
She is the 1992 Olympic Champion. In 1989, she won a silver medal behind Ana Quirot at the World Student Games (Universiade), running 1:59.82. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Van Langen won the Olympic title in the 800 m in a time of 1:55.54, a time which is after the 2015 season still the Dutch national record and 29th on the world all-time list. After her gold medal win in 1992 the Amsterdam unemployment benefits office terminated her dole on grounds that she might earn money from her victory in the future.
