Emil ZÁTOPEK
Czechoslovakian athlete Emil ZÁTOPEK dominated long-distance running and was the sole runner to have triumphed in the 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and marathon at the same Olympic Games in 1952, hosted by Helsinki.
Between 1948 and 1954, Zátopek remained undefeated in his first 38 races in the 10,000 metres, consolidating his status as one of the greatest runners of all time.
Portrait et carrière d’Emil ZATOPEK (2023) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Emil ZÁTOPEK's profile and career
London 1948
During the 10,000-metre final, ZÁTOPEK made a strategic decision to set a specific pace : 1 minute and 11 seconds per lap. Surpassing all expectations, he ultimately outpaced every other runner, winning with an astonishing lead of over 300 metres and in a time of 2 hours, 59 minutes and 6 seconds.
Londres 1948, 5000m Hommes - En tête, Emil ZATOPEK (TCH) 2e suivi de Gaston REIFF (BEL) 1e. (1948) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
London 1948
In the gripping 5,000-metre final, ZÁTOPEK managed to bridge the gap in the last lap with an astounding final sprint. Despite his remarkable effort, he settled for silver in the end, finishing just 1.5 metres behind the victorious Belgian athlete, Gaston Étienne REIFF.
Helsinki 1952, 10000m Hommes - Emil ZATOPEK (TCH) 1e, Alain MIMOUN (FRA) 2e, Gordon PIRIE (GBR) (1952) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Helsinki 1952
Four years later, ZÁTOPEK delivered an even more remarkable performance. In the 10,000-metre race, Zátopek's opponents quickly fell behind, unable to keep up with the Czech " locomotive's " blistering pace. He crossed the finish line with an impressive lead of over 120 metres ahead of his close rival and friend, Frenchman Alain MIMOUN.
Helsinki 1952
Just four days later, ZÁTOPEK ran to victory in the 5,000-metre race after a breathtaking sprint. On the same day he witnessed his wife, Dana ZÁTOPKOVÁ, triumph in the javelin event.
Helsinki 1952, marathon Hommes- Gustaf JANSSON (SWE) 3e, Emil ZATOPEK (TCH) 1E et Reinaldo GORNO (ARG) 2e (1952) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Helsinki 1952
And as if that wasn't enough, ZÁTOPEK decided to take on the marathon in Helsinki, despite never having run one before. When he crossed the finish line, in an astonishing time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and 2 seconds, he obliterated the longstanding Olympic record set by Japan's Son KITEI in 1936 by over six minutes !
Helsinki 1952
ZÁTOPEK's dominance extended across all long-distance races, breaking the Olympic record in each event. It was an incredible achievement, and one that will never be equalled.
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