Emil Zátopek

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Olympic medal record
Pierre de Coubertin medal		2000
Men's Athletics
Gold	1948 London	10000m
Gold	1952 Helsinki	5000m
Gold	1952 Helsinki	10000m
Gold	1952 Helsinki	Marathon
Silver	1948 London	5000m

Emil Zátopek listen (help·info) (September 19, 1922 - November 22, 2000) was a Czech athlete and Olympic gold medalist in long distance running. Zátopek was the first athlete to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000 m run (in 1954). Three years earlier, in 1951, he had broken the hour for running 20 km. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest runners of the 20th century and was also known for his brutal training methods.

1 Biography
2 Quotes
3 External links
4 Notes

[edit] Biography

Zátopek (right) running in 5000 m in 1952 Olympics.

Born in Kopřivnice, Czech Republic, Zátopek is probably best known for his amazing feat of winning three gold medals in athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5000 m and 10,000 m runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the marathon for the first time in his life and won. He also broke the existing Olympic record in each of the three events. His victory in the 5000 m came after a ferocious last lap in 57.5 seconds, during which he went from fourth place to first while Christopher Chataway, now second after being overtaken by Zátopek, tripped on the curb and fell.^[1]

Zátopek first entered the international athletics field at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, winning the 10,000 m (his second race at that distance) and finishing second behind Gaston Reiff from Belgium in the 5000 m.

The following year Zátopek broke the 10,000 m world record twice, and went on to better his own record three times over the next four seasons. He also set records in the 5000 m (1954), 20 km (twice in 1951), one-hour run (twice in 1951), 25 km (1952 and 1955), and 30 km (1952).

He won the 5000 m and 10,000 m at the 1950 European Championships and the 10,000 m at the next European Championships. Two weeks before the 1956 Summer Olympics, Zátopek had a hernia operation, but nevertheless finished sixth in the Olympic marathon. Zátopek retired from athletics after the next season.

Zátopek's running style was distinctive and very much at odds with what was considered to be an efficient style at the time. His head would often roll, face contorted with effort, while his torso swung from side to side. He often wheezed and panted audibly while running, which earned him the nickname of "the Czech Locomotive." When asked about his tortured facial expressions, Zátopek is said to have replied that "It isn't gymnastics or ice-skating, you know." In addition he would train in any weather, including snow, and would often do so while wearing heavy work boots as opposed to special running shoes.

A hero in his native country, Zátopek was an influential figure in the Communist Party. However, he supported the party's democratic wing, and after the Prague Spring, he was removed from all important positions and forced to work in a uranium mine as punishment. Zátopek died in Prague, after a long illness, in 2000 at the age of 78. He was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal posthumously in December 2000.

His wife Dana Zátopková (born the same day as her husband) was an outstanding athlete in her own right in the javelin throw. She won the gold medal in the javelin in the 1952 Summer Olympics and the silver medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics.

[edit] Quotes

"One day the factory sports coach, who was very strict, pointed at four boys, including me, and ordered us to run in a race. I protested that I was weak and not fit to run, but the coach sent me for a physical examination and the doctor said that I was perfectly well. So I had to run, and when I got started I felt I wanted to win. But I only came in second. That was the way it started." [1]

"If you want to win something, run the 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run the marathon."

"I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time."

"It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys."

[edit] External links

Running Past profile of Zatopek

[edit] Notes

^ Archive Video of 5000 m olympic run from Runningpast.com

Olympic champions in men's 5000 m
1912: Hannes Kolehmainen \| 1920: Joseph Guillemot \| 1924: Paavo Nurmi \| 1928: Ville Ritola \| 1932: Lauri Lehtinen \| 1936: Gunnar Höckert \| 1948: Gaston Reiff \| 1952: Emil Zátopek \| 1956: Vladimir Kuts \| 1960: Murray Halberg \| 1964: Bob Schul \| 1968: Mohammed Gammoudi \| 1972: Lasse Virén \| 1976: Lasse Virén \| 1980: Miruts Yifter \| 1984: Saïd Aouita \| 1988: John Ngugi \| 1992: Dieter Baumann \| 1996: Vénuste Niyongabo \| 2000: Millon Wolde \| 2004: Hicham El Guerrouj

Olympic champions in men's 5000 m

Olympic champions in men's 5 miles and 10000 m
As five miles: 1906: Henry Hawtrey \| 1908: Emil Voigt
As 10000 metres: 1912: Hannes Kolehmainen \| 1920: Paavo Nurmi \| 1924: Ville Ritola \| 1928: Paavo Nurmi \| 1932: Janusz Kusociński \| 1936: Ilmari Salminen \| 1948: Emil Zátopek \| 1952: Emil Zátopek \| 1956: Vladimir Kuts \| 1960: Pyotr Bolotnikov \| 1964: Billy Mills \| 1968: Naftali Temu \| 1972: Lasse Virén \| 1976: Lasse Virén \|1980: Miruts Yifter \| 1984: Alberto Cova \| 1988: Brahim Boutayeb \| 1992: Khalid Skah \| 1996: Haile Gebrselassie \| 2000: Haile Gebrselassie \| 2004: Kenenisa Bekele

Olympic champions in men's 5 miles and 10000 m

As five miles: 1906: Henry Hawtrey | 1908: Emil Voigt