Dana Zátopková facts for kids
Zátopková in 2007
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | 19 September 1922 Fryštát, Czechoslovakia |
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| Died | 13 March 2020 (aged 97) Prague, Czech Republic |
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Medal record
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Dana Zátopková (born Ingrová) was a famous Czech athlete. She was a champion in the javelin throw event. She was born on September 19, 1922, and passed away on March 13, 2020.
Dana won a gold medal in javelin at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. This was a very special moment because her husband, Emil Zátopek, won his 5,000-meter race just an hour before her! She also earned a silver medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Dana was also a two-time European champion, winning in 1954 and 1958. In 1958, when she was 35 years old, she set a new world record in javelin, throwing 55.73 meters. This made her the oldest woman to break a world record in an outdoor athletics event.
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A Helping Hand
Dana and her husband, Emil, were good friends with other Olympic athletes. In 1957, they were witnesses at the wedding of two Olympic gold medalists, Olga Fikotová and Harold Vincent Connolly.
Olga needed special permission to marry Harold. Emil Zátopek even spoke to the Czechoslovak president, Antonín Zápotocký, to ask for help. A few days later, Olga received the permit she needed to get married. It's not fully clear how much Emil's talk helped, but it was a kind gesture.
Olympic and European Success
Dana Zátopková had an amazing career in javelin throwing. She competed in several major international events.
Early Olympic Games
- In 1948, Dana competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. She finished in 7th place with a throw of 39.94 meters.
- At the 1950 European Athletics Championships in Brussels, Belgium, she placed 5th.
Gold Medal Wins
- Her biggest win came at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. She won the gold medal with a throw of 50.47 meters.
- She continued her success at the 1954 European Athletics Championships in Bern, Switzerland, where she won another gold medal, throwing 52.91 meters.
- In 1958, she won her second European gold medal at the 1958 European Athletics Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. Her throw was 56.02 meters.
Later Olympic Games
- Dana also competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, finishing 4th.
- Her final Olympic medal was a silver at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, where she threw 53.78 meters.
Images for kids
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Zátopková in 2007
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Dana Zátopková (2014)
See also
In Spanish: Dana Zátopková para niños
