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Daniela Zatopekova, the Czech Republic’s oldest residing Olympic gold medalist has died on the age of 97. Daniela died on the Navy Hospital In Prague, the Czech Republic on 13 March 2022. Daniela gained the 1952 Olympic javelin gold medal, inside minutes of her husband, Emil Zatopek, profitable his third medal, within the marathon, after profitable the ten,000m and 5,000m. Daniela set a Olympic report together with her gold medal throw, in 50.47 meters. Six years later, Daniela, after teaching Czech athletes, went again to competitors and set a brand new world report within the javelin of 55.73 meters. Daniela was 35 years outdated on the time, and her world report (with a picket javelin) was unique-it gave Daniela recognition because the oldest lady to set a world report on the time.
An enchanting picture, Daniela and Emil celebrating, late into the evening, after their medals in Helsinki in 1952, picture by way of Wikipedia (imagine it was additionally AP)
Daniela was the European champion within the javelin in 1954 and 1956.
In 1960, Daniela competed within the Rome Olympics, taking silver within the javelin. Her husband, Emil, instructed me a narrative after I interviewed him in 1991, noting with a chuckle, ” Daniela cherished teaching, nevertheless it was a lot harder than competing as an athlete. So, for Rome, she practiced and gained the silver!”
Within the subsequent part, I’ll focus on some private recollections of the Queen of Czech sports activities…
Daniela Zatopekova was the spouse of Emil Zatopek, the best distance runner of all occasions, in my view. Daniela and Emil had the identical birthday date. Each had been within the Czech army. Within the shadow of Emil, Daniela, who was an incredible athlete and gifted coach. Daniela’s comeback within the 1960 Olympics, eight years after her Olympic gold, was a mere suggestion of how gifted this Czech celebrity really was. In that point, girls of their thirties didn’t compete in sports activities.
Dana Zatopkova throwing the javelin (1952 gold, 1960 silver), courtesy of CTK (all rights reserved for CTK)
Within the Czech Rebellion in 1968, each Daniela and Emil had been handled poorly. Emil’s again was broken as a result of Soviet-controlled Czech authorities placing him in a small cell, permitting him solely janitorial work and placing him in restricted contact with the skin world for eight years. The Zatopeks lived in poverty for these years. It was not till 1979 when George Hirsch of The Runner journal invited Emil Zatopek to the NYC Marathon was he allowed to go away the nation. It appeared as if the Czech authorities noticed that the Zatopeks had paid sufficient. In 1990, Czech president Vaclav Havel acknowledged Emil Zatopek and introduced him again to his former stature. The reality was, the Czech folks by no means forgot the enjoyment that the Zatopeks had given them within the Fifties and Sixties.
Daniela Zatopekova outlived her husband, Emil, who died on November 22, 2000, by twenty-two years.
This author met Daniela Zatopekova in 2001, in Edmonton, on the World Championships. It was a singular assembly, and I bear in mind it now, some 20 years later.
I had simply met Roman Sebrle and Tomas Dvorak, who had been fairly gracious and as we had been chatting, Roman spied this elegant lady throughout the big theatre corridor that was internet hosting the AIPS assembly. They politely excused themselves and I adopted them, as they parted the room of throngs of media, who had been hoping for interviews, some great meals, and nice wine. On the opposite facet of the corridor was a petite, charming lady, who noticed these two Olympic decathletes, who appear to be Greek gods strolling via the throng. A smile got here throughout her face as the 2 Czech decathletes, Olympic medalists, World Champions and former world report holders moved throughout the room to greet her.
Daniela smiled, as Roman kissed each of her cheeks, after which, her hand. Tomas Dvorak did the identical. Daniela was delighted. They spoke in Czech, as they had been outdated buddies. Roman defined to me later that Daniela was an incredible athlete and coach. It was apparent that they adored their nationwide treasure. She spoke to each of them knowingly, with the expertise that solely a seasoned athlete and coach can do.
What I’m making an attempt to say is that Daniela Zatopekova was an unbelievable athlete and coach, in addition to the loving and supportive spouse that she was. It was not simply throughout the glory years, nevertheless it will need to have been horrific to see the person you like to be humiliated and damaged by the Czech communist social gathering. They’d virtually 40 years collectively, and Daniela lived one other 22 years, residing by instance, of how an amazing athlete and patriot, comport oneself in good occasions and dangerous occasions.
RIP, to the Queen of Czech sports activities, Daniela Zatopekova.
To learn a becoming tribute to Daniela Zatopekova, please learn this piece I discovered within the Scotsmen:
To learn one other tribute to Daniela Zatopekova, this piece was posted in Athletics Illustrated:
https://athleticsillustrated.com/olympic-champion-dana-zatopkova-dies-at-age-97/
To learn my piece on Roman Sebrle, commenting on Ashton Eaton and his time with Daniela Zatopekova:
https://www.runblogrun.com/2017/01/roman-sebrle-comments-on-the-eatons-retirement.html
To learn my piece on Daniela Zatopekova turning 95:
https://www.runblogrun.com/2017/09/dana-zatopekova-is-95.html
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