Ludvík Daněk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ludvík Daněk

Personal information
Nationality	Czech
Born	(1937-01-06)January 6, 1937 Blansko, Czechoslovakia
Died	November 16, 1998(1998-11-16) (aged 61) Hutisko-Solanec, Czech Republic
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	123 kg (271 lb)
Sport
Country	Czechoslovakia
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Discus throw
Club	Spartak Brno, Sparta Praha
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	67.18 m (1974)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing  Czechoslovakia Olympic Games Gold 1972 Munich Discus throw Silver 1964 Tokyo Discus throw Bronze 1968 Mexico Discus throw European Championships Gold 1971 Helsinki Discus throw Silver 1974 Rome Discus throw

Ludvík Daněk was a famous discus thrower from Czechoslovakia. He was born on January 6, 1937, and passed away on November 16, 1998. Ludvík is best known for winning the gold medal in discus throw at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. His winning throw was 64.40 meters (about 211 feet, 3 inches).

Ludvík Daněk's Amazing Career

Ludvík Daněk was born in Blansko. He competed in the Summer Olympics four times for Czechoslovakia. He won a silver medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Four years later, he earned a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Finally, he achieved his dream by winning the gold medal at the 1972 Olympics.

Setting World Records

Ludvík Daněk was not only an Olympic champion. He also set three new world records in discus throw! His first record was 64.55 meters in 1964. The next year, in 1965, he threw 65.22 meters. In 1966, he broke his own record again with a throw of 66.07 meters.

European Championships Success

Besides the Olympics, Ludvík also won several medals at the European Athletics Championships. He won a gold medal at the 1971 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki. Three years later, he earned a silver medal at the 1974 European Athletics Championships in Rome.

Life After Sports

After he stopped competing, Ludvík Daněk continued to be involved in sports. He became a sports administrator, which means he helped manage sports organizations. He even served as the vice-president of the Czech athletics federation.

Remembering a Legend

The place where Ludvík set his first world record in 1964 is now honored with a special memorial circle. Also, a sports venue in Turnov is now called the Ludvík Daněk Stadium. He passed away in Hutisko-Solanec near Vsetín when he was 61 years old. Since 1999, a year after his death, the stadium has hosted an annual track and field event in his honor. This event is called the Ludvík Daněk Memorial.

Major Competition Results

Here are some of Ludvík Daněk's top results from major competitions:

• 1964: Olympic Games: 2nd place (60.52 m)
• 1966: European Championships: 5th place (56.24 m)
• 1968: Olympic Games: 3rd place (62.92 m)
• 1969: European Championships: 4th place (59.30 m)
• 1971: European Championships: 1st place (63.90 m)
• 1972: Olympic Games: 1st place (64.40 m)
• 1974: European Championships: 2nd place (62.76 m)
• 1976: Olympic Games: 9th place (61.28 m)