Inese Jaunzeme facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | 21 May 1932 Pļaviņas, Latvia |
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| Died | 13 February 2011 (aged 78) Riga, Latvia |
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| Height | 169 cm | ||||||||||
| Weight | 70 kg | ||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||
| Event(s) | Javelin throw | ||||||||||
| Club | Dynamo Riga | ||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 55.73 (1960) | ||||||||||
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Medal record
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Inese Jaunzeme (born May 21, 1932 – died February 13, 2011) was a famous Latvian athlete. She was best known for her skill in the javelin throw. Inese made history by winning a gold medal at the 1956 Olympic Games.
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Inese Jaunzeme: Olympic Champion
Inese Jaunzeme showed great talent in the javelin throw. In 1956, she placed third at the Soviet Union Championships. This success earned her a spot on the Soviet Olympic team. She was ready to compete at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
Setting Olympic Records
At the 1956 Olympics, Inese made an amazing start. She set a new Olympic record in her very first throw. She then improved her record two more times during the competition. Her winning throw was 53.86 meters. This incredible achievement made her the first ever Latvian Olympic champion.
Awards and Recognition
After her Olympic win, Inese received many honors. In 1957, she was given the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. This was a special award for her outstanding achievement. She was also chosen as the best Latvian athlete of the year. She received this honor in both 1956 and 1957.
Life Beyond Sports
Inese Jaunzeme was not only an Olympic champion. She was also a very successful student and professional. She won the Latvian javelin championship several times. These wins were in 1952, 1956, 1958, and 1960. She also came in second at the 1957 World University Games.
A Career in Medicine
In 1960, Inese graduated from the Riga Medical Institute. After this, she stopped competing in sports. She started a new career in medicine. She worked in traumatology, which deals with injuries. She also worked in plastic surgery, which involves repairing or reconstructing body parts.
In 1969, she earned her PhD. From 1970 onwards, she became a professor. She taught orthopedics at the Riga Medical Institute. Orthopedics is a medical field that focuses on bones and muscles.
Leading Olympians
Inese Jaunzeme continued to be involved in sports. From 1999 until her death in 2011, she led the Latvian Olympians Association. This group supports athletes who have competed in the Olympic Games. Inese Jaunzeme was a true inspiration, both in sports and in her professional life.
