Emil Zatopek

(1922-2000)

One of the greatest runners of the 20th Century, Emil Zátopek achieved legendary status when he won the 5,000, the 10,000 and the marathon at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.

"The Locomotive" or the "Bouncing Czech" as he came to be known, dominated long distance running from 1948 until 1954 when he won a remarkable 38 consecutive 10,000 meter races, including 11 in 1949 alone. He set 18 world records over various distances including every record from 5K to 30K, and won four Olympic gold medals and one silver.

He was the first to run a 10K under 29 minutes and the first to run 20K in one hour.

The Olympics

The 5-foot-8, 145 pound athlete made his Olympic debut at the 1948 London Games. He was 26 years old with little international racing experience, yet he won the 10,000 and was second in the 5,000.

Emil married Dana Ingrova, fellow Czech team member shortly after the Olympics. Dana and Emil shared the same birthday, September 19th, and they married on that day in 1948. Dana competed in the javelin and won gold in 1952 and silver in 1960.

Five fun facts about Emil Zatopek

1. Emil and his wife were born on the same day: September 19, 1922!
2. Emil's wife, Dana, also won a gold medal in 1952. She set an Olympic record in the javelin!
3. Emil didn't start running until he was 19. He finished second out of 100 boys in his first race!
4. Emil did workouts no one had ever conceived before. In one training period he ran a workout of 50 x 400 meters, in the morning AND the afternoon!
5. Emil was able to make friends with anyone, including his competitors. It helped that he was fluent in seven languages!

Quotes by Emil Zatopek

"Men, today we die a little."
Emil Zatopek at the start of the 1956 Olympic Marathon.

"A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket."

"There are three things worth living for:
American luxury, Japanese women and Chinese food,"
Emil Zatopek said, joking.