by Alfonz Juck
Dana Zatopkova throwing the javelin (1952 gold, 1960 silver), courtesy of CTK (all rights reserved for CTK)I met Dana Zatopkova in 2001 in Edmonton. I witnessed Roman Sebrle go across an entire room of media and find this dimunutive, smiling women. Sebrle kissed her hand, as Dana smiled and spoke animatedly to Sebrle and his friend. Dana Zatopkova and her late husband, Emil, were royalty in the Czech Republic.
I recall Emil telling me the story of Dana coaching javelin throwers after her gold medal in 1952. “It was much easier to compete than to coach. Dana went back to throwing and took the silver medal in the javelin in 1960!”
A very happy birthday to Dana Zatopkova, who won javelin gold as her husband, Emil Zatopek, was winning the marathon, his third medal in 1952 Olympics, and his first marathon.
Legendary Zatopkova is 95
PRAHA (CZE): Special day for legendary Dana Zatopkova. The Czech 1952 Olympic winner in javelin celebrated her 95th birthday. Her late husband was another legend, the multiple olympic winner Emil Zatopek, he would be also 95 on the same day. Zatopkova visited his grave during the weekend in Roznov pod Radhostem. She also spoke to Czech media and confirmed “Im happy I have good friends around, they are helping me with the problems and situations coming with my age. But I had a very interesting life.”
