Curaçao’s own Enith Brigitha to be honored with a statue

THE HAGUE, WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao swimmer Enith Brigitha gets a statue in the Netherlands. The tribute is an initiative of comedian and filmmaker Mo Hersi. He started a crowd funding campaign for this and managed to collect more than 16,000 euros for the project.

Mo Hersi met Enith Brigitha during the program De RacismeKaart voor Omroep Flevoland last summer and was very impressed by Brigitha's story.

"In the Netherlands we have very few monuments or statues of people of color and that must change soon," said Mo Hersi. "Enith Brigitha's achievements are more than just winning a medal at the Olympic Games. She broke down prejudices that existed about people of color. She also brought enormous joy and pride to all Dutch people in the 1970s and beyond," Mo Hersi continues.

Brigitha won two bronze medals in the 100 and 200 meters free at the 1976 Games in Montreal. Only swimmers from the former GDR, believed to have benefited from the East German doping program, were faster. Brigitha therefore regards her two third places as Olympic titles.

A few months ago, a mural by Brigitha was presented at Sentro Deportivo Korsou in Curaçao by the swimming pool that is named after her.

Brigitha was named Sportswoman of the Year twice in the Netherlands, in 1973 and 1974. She won 21 national titles and was the first woman to swim the 100 meter freestyle under minute.

In 2015 she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall Of Fame in the United States and in 2017 Brigitha was presented with the Black Achievement Award, a prize for people who have made a valuable contribution to society as a black role model. A book about her life was also published that same year.

After her career, the now 65-year-old Brigitha became best known for the many swimming lessons she gave.




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