Emil Zátopek, Olympic champion

The sculpture represents Emil Zátopek in action, focusing on his goal, his muscles tensed with effort.

Emil Zátopek is one of bigger long-distance runners of the history of the Games. He obtained a first Olympic title in the 10,000m in 1948. However, the pinnacle of his career came at the 1952 Games in Helsinki, where he won three titles (5,000m, 10,000m and the marathon) in the space of a week. Zátopek attempted to defend his marathon gold medal in 1956; however, he suffered a groin injury while training and was hospitalised for six weeks. He resumed training the day after leaving hospital but never quite regained his form, finishing sixth to his old rival and friend Alain Mimoun. With his tongue hanging out while running, Emil Zátopek gained the nickname “The Czech Locomotive” due to this unique, and not very beautiful, running style.

His wife Dana Zátopková was an Olympic javelin champion, and a silver medallist in Rome in 1960.