Emil Zatopek
Emil Zatopek
Emil Zátopek; 19 September 1922 – 22 November 2000) was a Czechoslovak long-distance runner best known for winning three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life. He was nicknamed the "Czech Locomotive"...
NationalityCzechoslovakian
ProfessionRunner
Date of Birth19 September 1922
CityKoprivnice, Czech Republic
A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.
We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.
If you want to run, then run a mile. If you want to experience another life, run a marathon.
My running was very simple; it was out of myself.
If I can get better, why not?
When I was young, I was too slow. I thought I must learn to run fast by practicing to run fast, so I ran 100 meters fast 20 times. Then I came back, slow,slow,slow. People said, 'Emil, you are crazy. You are training like a sprinter.'
One day the factory sports coach, who was very strict, pointed at four boys, including me, and ordered us to run in a race. I protested that I was weak and not fit to run, but the coach sent me for a physical examination and the doctor said that I was perfectly well. So I had to run, and when I got started I felt I wanted to win. But I only came in second. That was the way it started.
It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.
Why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn to run fast.
I was unable to walk for a whole week after that, so much did the race take out of me. But it was the most pleasant exhaustion I have ever known.
If you come to think of it, you never see deer, dogs and rabbits worrying about their menus and yet they run much faster than humans.
I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time
An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.
If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.