Malene Franzen

Malene Franzen (September 28, 1970 in Kastrup) is a Danish former individual rhythmic gymnast. She competed for Denmark in the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Early life Franzen has a brother, Ulrik. Her mother, Vibeke Franzen, was her personal coach, as well as the national rhythmic gymnastics coach and a leader in promoting rhythmic gymnastics in Denmark.

Career Franzen was the most internationally successful Danish rhythmic gymnast during her career.

In 1985, she competed at the Nordic Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, her first international competition.

She competed next year at the 1986 European Championships in Florence, and she finished in 56th place in the all-around. The next year, at the 1987 World Championships in Varna, Bulgaria, where she tied for 49th place. The Championships acted as a qualification event for the upcoming 1988 Summer Olympics, and the top 50 placements in the all-around won an Olympic quota for their country.

Franzen was selected to use the quota she had won for the 1988 Summer Olympics; she was the only Nordic rhythmic gymnast to compete there. As of 2024, she is the only Danish rhythmic gymnast to have competed at the Olympics.

Personal life Franzen lives on Amager and has a son, Emil.