EMIL ZATOPEK
– CHAMPION ON
AND OFF THE TRACK -
G'day guys,
Welcome to some interesting facts about an amazing athlete; on and off the track.
Emil Zatopek was a Czechoslovak athlete who won three gold
medals at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics (5,000m, 10,000m and marathon). He was
noted for his relentless training regime which involved a pioneering use of interval
training. A hero in his native Czechoslovakia he was an influential member in
the Communist Party, however, he was later expelled for supporting the
democratic movement of 1968 and as a consequence was forced to work in
dangerous mining jobs. He was rehabilitated in 1990 by Czech President Václav
Havel. Zatopek is considered one of the greatest athletes and sporting
personalities of the Twentieth Century.
Emil Zatopek
was born in Czechoslovakia in 1922. His working-class parents, Frantisek and Anzeka
had eight children in all. The large family meant family finances were spread
thinly and Emil was always conscious of living close to the poverty line.
As a child,
Zatopek was a bright, independently minded spirit, with an unusual power of
memory. Many friends said an abiding characteristic of the young Zatopek was
his willingness to try everything differently.
In 1937, just
short of his 15th birthday, Zatopek left his hometown to work in the large Bata
factory in Zlin. For the time, it was a reasonable job, though very disciplined
and somewhat repetitive.
Aged 18, he
had no interest in running but on one occasion was picked by his company to
join a race. Despite his protestations that he was unfit, he was forced to
start the race and ended up coming second out of 100. This began his interest
in running, and within four years he was representing Czechoslovakia. The
second world war and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia meant he lost some
of the best years of his career. But, during the war, he was able to persevere
with his training and make significant improvements.
After the Second
World War, he joined the new Czechoslovakia army, who were sympathetic to
allowing him time to train – especially as international success followed. In
1948, he became a household name winning the 10 km in the austerity London
Olympics. He also finished second in the 5 km, though many felt that running
with greater reserve in the heats may have enabled him to win.
After the 1948 Olympics, Zatopek’s dominance of
middle-distance running grew – leading to several world records. On 29
September 1951, Emil Zatopek became the first person to run 20 kilometres in
under one hour and broke four world records in one breathtaking race. By the
end of 1953, he held eight world running records—the only man in history to
hold so many records at the same time. In total, he set 18 world records.
1952 Helsinki Olympics
In 1952,
Emil Zatopek achieved one of the greatest Olympic feats of all time – something
that will probably never be reproduced. He won gold in the 5km, 10km and then
at the last moment decided to run his first ever marathon. Despite no previous
experience at the distance, he won the race by over two minutes. This triple
Olympic gold remains an unprecedented achievement. The amazing feature of this
Olympics was that two months before the Olympics, doctors advised him not to
race because of an infected gland. Zatopek ignored the doctors’ advice.
Another
incident shortly before the 1952 Olympics also illustrates Zatopek’s
willingness to take an unorthodox stance. In 1952, Czechoslovakia was in the
throes of great political oppression, with many people put in jail and executed
for ‘suspect’ political views. Stalinist purges were widespread and even
athletics was not immune. Just eight months prior, the entire national ice
hockey team were arrested and eight players sentenced to a total of 77 years –
their crimes were supposedly contemplating defection.
Shortly
before the Olympics, Stanislav Jungwirth was excluded from the national team on
the grounds his father was in prison for political offences. But, Zatopek was
infuriated and told the Ministry of Sports that “If Standa does not go nor will
I”
Zatopek’s stance was brave and perhaps
foolhardy, as the consequences could have been severe. It was also remarkable
given what was at stake for Zatopek and he was widely tipped to be favourite
for at least two Olympic golds. In the end, the Ministry of Sports climbed down
and allowed both Standa and Zatopek to travel. However, a dossier was made on
Zatopek for his possible punishment after the games. It was with this threat
hanging over his head, that Zatopek competed in the Olympics. His unique triple
of Olympic golds gave Zatopek a public popularity which saved him from further
punishment, a lesser athlete would probably have fared very differently.
Zatopek was
not just an Olympic champion, but a gregarious character who spontaneously
built up relationships and goodwill with athletes from other countries. In the
1952 Helsinki Olympics, it was Zatopek who embodied the Olympic ideal – often
allowing westerners into the separate Warsaw Pact Olympic accommodation.
To Zatopek,
the Olympics was significant for its ideals of international friendship. He
learnt to speak several languages and easily struck up conversations with
people from around the world. He had a deeply generous spirit – frequently
helping out strangers or people who came to see him in his Prague flat.
Emil Zatopek Running Style
Emil
Zatopek threw everything into his running and this was reflected in his
agonising facial expressions. His running style was often criticised for being
gangly, inefficient and unattractive, but Zatopek retorted you don’t win any
prizes for looks in a running race. He ignored his critics and retained his
unique style throughout his career.
Emil Zatopek’s Training
Emile
Zatopek was renowned for his hard training routines. He would train whatever
the weather and push himself through punishing training routines to get the
best out of himself. He is said to have done 400-metre intervals up to 80 times
in one training session. In many ways, Zatopek was a great pioneer of interval
training – making short, hard intense efforts. His philosophy was to develop
speed and then be able to repeat this over a long period of time.
The Aussie Connection
As well as being a great runner, Emil was legendary for his
generous heart and good nature. The great Australian runner Ron Clarke had
achieved many spectacular achievements in athletics, but, an Olympic gold had
always eluded him. When Ron Clarke went to visit Zatopek, Zatopek accompanied
him to the airport. At the last moment, Zatopek thrust something into his hand.
Clarke thought it might be some secret document, but, when he got on the plane
he was shocked to see an Olympic gold medal with a note from Zatopek saying
simply ‘Because you deserve it’.
Clancy's comment: Wow, you have to admire a man who gave a gold medal to one of his competitors.
Love ya work, Emil!
I'm ...
