Biography Of Emil Zatopek -

Biography Of Emil Zatopek

Biography Of Emil Zatopek

 

Emil Zatopek was a Czechoslovak athlete who was awarded three gold medals in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics (5,000m 10,000m, and marathon). He was known for his unrelenting training regimen which included the pioneering use of interval training. He was a hero in his home country of Czechoslovakia He was a prominent participant in the Communist Party, however, the party was later banned because he backed the democratic revolution of 1968 and as a result was required to be employed in hazardous mining positions. He was later rehabilitated through Czech president Vaclav Havel. Zatopek is regarded as one of the most outstanding sportsmen and athletes of the Twentieth Century.

“Great will be the triumph however, the bond of friendship is more important.”

– Emil Zatopek

 

Short bio Emil Zatopek

Emil Zatopek was born in Czechoslovakia in 1922. His parents who were working class, Frantisek as well as Anzeka were parents to eight kids all in all. A large family meant that the family’s finances were not distributed evenly and Emil was constantly aware of being living near the poverty level.

As a youngster, Zatopek was a bright independent-minded, spirited spirit with a remarkable capacity for memory. Many of his peers said that a defining characteristic of youthful Zatopek was his eagerness to think differently about everything.

In 1937, a few days short of his birthday Zatopek moved away from his hometown to work at the huge Bata production facility located in Zlin. At the time, it was a decent job although it was extremely disciplined and repetitive.

Aged 18 he had no desire to run however he was contacted by his company to participate in an event. Despite his claims that he wasn’t fit and unfit, he was required to participate in the race and came in second in the 100. It was then that he began to take a passion for running, and within four years, he was running for Czechoslovakia. The second world conflict and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia resulted in him losing many of the most memorable seasons of his professional career. However, throughout the conflict, he was able to keep his training going and see significant improvement.

Following the Second World War, he became a member of the new Czechoslovakia army, and they were willing to give him to train for a while – particularly when international success came after. In 1948 He was a household name after winning the 10km in the grueling London Olympics. He also came in second place in the 5 km race, although many believed that running more calmly during the heat might be the reason he won.

Zatopek noted how important his comments on the importance of 1948’s Olympics were.

“For me, I felt that the 1948 Olympics were a release of the spirit. After all the dark days of conflict, the bombings, the slaughter, and the hunger The rebirth of the Olympics was like the sun had risen. I visited the Olympic Village in 1948 and there were no longer borders or barriers. It was just the people gathering together. It was incredibly warm. Women and men who had gone through the five-year loss of their lives were back.”

After the 1948 Olympics, He got became married to Zana who had been an Olympic javelin thrower. At the London Olympics, He bought two gold rings at an e-shop in Piccadilly Circus. He proposed unusually (they were born on the 19th of September 1922.) ” So, we both were twins born the day before. is it possible that, if we were lucky we were also planning to be married at the same time?”

Their marriage was generally happy but to Emil’s dismay, the couple remained unmarried.

 

Biography Of Emil Zatopek

 

Biography Of Emil Zatopek

 

Following the 1948 Olympics Zatopek’s dominant middle-distance running increased – creating a variety of world records. On the 29th of September, 1951 Emil Zatopek became the first man to run 20 kilometers in under an hour. He also broke four world records in a single race. At the time of his death in 1953, he had held eight world records for running, the only person in history to hold this many records simultaneously. In all, he recorded 18 world records.

 

1952 Helsinki Olympics

The year 1952 was the time that Emil Zatopek achieved one of the most impressive Olympic feats ever – something which will likely never be duplicated. He took gold in the 5km and 10km and at the very last moment, he decided to run his first marathon. Although he had no prior experience in his distance took the race by more than two minutes. The triple Olympic gold medal remains an unmatched accomplishment. The remarkable thing about this Olympics was that two months before the Olympics doctors advised Zatopek not to compete due to the presence of an infection in his gland. Zatopek refused to follow the advice of the doctors.

A different incident that occurred just before the 1952 Olympics is another example of Zatopek’s willingness to stand up for a position that is not conventional. The year 1952 was a time when Czechoslovakia was caught amid massive political oppression. Many individuals are being detained and executed due to suspect opinions. Stalinist eliminations were commonplace and even sports were not exempt from the snare. In the eight months preceding all the national team of ice hockey players was taken into custody and eight players were sent to prison for an average sentence of seventy-seven years in prison for crimes that were believed to be a prelude to leaving.

In the days before the Olympics, Stanislav Jungwirth was exiled from the team due to the basis that his father was in jail for political infractions. However, Zatopek was furious and informed by the Ministry of Sports that “If Standa is not allowed to go, neither will I”

Zatopek’s stand was courageous and maybe foolish since his consequences might have proved devastating. Also, it was remarkable considering the stakes for Zatopek, who was widely predicted to be most likely to win at least two Olympic gold medals. At the end of the day, the Ministry of Sports climbed down and let the athletes Standa as well as Zatopek the opportunity to fly. But there was a dossier made for Zatopek to determine his punishment following the games. The threat of punishment was in his mind, that Zatopek participated in the Olympics. His triple feat of Olympic gold medals brought Zatopek an international reputation that protected him from punishment A less skilled athlete could be treated very differently.

Zatopek was more than an Olympic champion, but was a friendly person who developed relationships and friendships with other athletes. When he participated in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics the event was Zatopek was the embodiment of the Olympic ideal by allowing westerners to use the Warsaw Pact Olympic accommodation.

To Zatopek his credit, the Olympics were significant because of its principles of international cooperation. He learned to speak various languages and was able to strike off conversations with strangers from all over the globe. He was a generous spirit and was often able to help strangers or visitors who visited him at his Prague home.

Biography Of Emil Zatopek

 

Emil Zatopek’s Running Style
Emil Zatopek threw everything into his running, and it was apparent in his grueling facial expressions. His style of running was frequently condemned for being unruly ugly, inefficient, and boring however, Zatopek replied that you don’t win any awards for your looks during a race. He was unafraid of his critics and kept his distinct style throughout his entire career.

“I will develop a more refined style once they begin judging races based on their appearance. As long as it’s about speed, my focus is going to see how quickly I can get around.”

–Emil Zatopek

 

Emil Zatopek’s Training

Emile Zatopek was renowned for his rigorous training regimens. He would train regardless of the weather was like and push through rigorous training routines to make the most of himself. It is believed that he completed 400-meter intervals as high as 80 times during one training session. In many ways Zatopek was an outstanding innovator in interval training, performing short, hard-working efforts. His goal was to improve speed and be able to replicate this for a longer period. When asked about his intense training, Zatopek stated:

“If one can keep to the program over the years, then power is no longer an issue. It’s raining? What’s the matter? I am tired. It’s not the issue. It’s just that I must.”

In the early days, the issue was that it challenged traditional knowledge about training. Zatopek commented on the subject that interval training was a form of exercise.

Emil Zatopek in his book Interval Training, “Everyone said”Emil, you’re an idiot!’ But when I won my first European Championship, they said”Emil, you’re a genius! ‘”

 

Emily Zatopek Principles

Emile ZatopekAs his fame gained international recognition, Zatopek was used as an official spokesperson for his country’s Communist regime. His roots as a working-class man and his athletic ability made him an effective spokesperson. Also, he was a talented speaker with the ability to connect with audiences. While he generally avoided politics, he was a believer in communism and socialism, and later became a member of the Communist Party. However, he began to become aware of the shortcomings that were a part of the Communist regime.

During the Prague Spring of 1968, Zatopek stood up for those that were demanding more change and freedom away from Kremlin. Zatopek showed tremendous devotion to Alexander Dubcek, the leader of the democratic wing which stood against his opposition to the Russian invasion. If the revolution was unsuccessful as the Soviet hardliners gained control, Zatopek was punished for his ardent support for the Prague Spring. He was exiled from the army and the Communist Party. He was deprived of the luxury of his previous life and was forced to be employed in the mine.

 

National acclaim and international travel were gone. Zatopek was now regarded as a suspect. 1968 was a tough period for Zatopek due to the pressure placed on him to surrender his “democratic” views. Slowly, he recovered from the regime, after he learned to be more cautious in expressing his political opinions. In the late 1970s, he could travel once again as a representative of Czechoslovakia in International sporting tournaments.

In addition to being a superb athlete, Emil was legendary for his generosity of spirit and positive nature. The legendary Australian athlete Ron Clarke had achieved many amazing athletic feats but the chance to win an Olympic gold medal had never been attainable for him. The time that Ron Clarke went to visit Zatopek, Zatopek accompanied him to the airport. In the final moments, Zatopek thrust something into his palm. Clarke thought it was an undiscovered document, however as he stepped onto the plane, he was stunned to find the Olympic gold medal, with the note of Zatopek which read”Just because you deserve it’. Clarke declared

“I am sure that no one appreciates the same gift as me, my only Olympic gold medal. It’s not for the contents of it, however, but due to the spirit of the man it represents”.

Zatopek was a man of great sincerity. He recalls his visit to the 1948 Olympics in London:

“It is my very first participation in the Olympic Games and I was amazed to be in the Olympic stadium and read the most important thing concerning the Games was”Not to win but to be part of it’. What if I didn’t be able to win? Ah, but I want to be a winner! ”

Zatopek died aged 78 in Prague Zatopek passed away in Prague, in 2000. He was a part of the fall of the oppressive Communist regime and left behind a lasting legacy of his athletic achievements.

 

Tags: emil zatopek,zatopek,zátopek,emil zátopek,emil zatopek biography || life story,emil zátopek (olympic athlete),biografia emil zátopek,emil zátopek biografia,zatopek emil,emil zatopek marathon,emil zatopek training,biografia emil zátopek español,bio emil zátopek,emil zátopek biografia en español,emil zatopek 5000m,zatopek film,emil zatopek runner,film o zatopek,emil und dana zatopek,emil zatopek run form,emil zátopek atleta,emil zatopek helsinki

Leave a Comment