Karen Harup

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.