In a romantic coincidence of
Hollywood proportions, Dana Ingrová and Emil Zátopek
were both born on September 19th 1922 in what is now the Czech
Republic. They met at a sporting event in the 1940s, marrying soon after and
remaining together for over five decades, until Emil’s death in 2000. Dana was a leading javelin thrower and Emil is
widely regarded as being one of the finest long distance runners of all time.
They lived through intensely tough times in communist Czechoslovakia, suffering terribly as a result of the ruling regime.
But their sporting achievements shine through and remain unparalleled in many
ways. Dana represented Czechoslovakia in the javelin competition at four
consecutive Olympics, between 1948 and 1960, winning one gold and one silver
medal during that time. In 1958 she threw a wooden javelin longer than any
woman in history and this particular record is forever hers, as javelins are now
made from metal. Emil broke several world records in his track running career,
where he specialized in distances up to and including the 10,000 metres.
Dana Zátopek in action...
And her husband Emil leading here, with his characteristic grimace
Through all their sporting achievements and
subsequent challenges in their lives after athletics, the 1952 Olympics in
Helsinki is the time when their stars aligned most perfectly. Emil won the gold
medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres races before deciding to have a go at the
marathon, his very first race at that distance. In an achievement that has never
been and is unlikely to ever be paralleled, he took gold in the marathon too.
And in another unprecedented occurrence, Dana won gold in the javelin competition
just an hour after her husband’s 5,000 metre triumph.
Emil and Dana
Her recollection in 2012 of that wonderful day in Helsinki 60 years before is
full of both joy and humility: “I was closeted in the changing room alone
trying to concentrate on the ordeal (her own javelin competition) ahead and trying
to stay composed, but it was impossible. So I listened to the crowd cheering,
trying in vain to figure out who they were cheering for. When the noise died
down, I could wait no longer. I jumped up and ran out of the changing room,
bumping into the Soviet coach, Romanov. ‘Who won?’ I blurted out. And I
remember he looked at me dumbfounded because, of course, Emil had won, and his
own wife had not gone to watch”.
At a press conference after her gold medal winning performance, Emil had
jokingly tried to take credit for Dana’s achievement, saying that he had
inspired her. “Really?” she said. “OK, go inspire some other girl and see if she
throws a javelin 50 meters!”
Like many others looking ahead at the next few weeks of pandemic related
restrictions in movement and social activity, I have been looking out for
something good to read. Of course I have many unread titles that look at me
accusingly from my own bookshelves, so I don’t have to go far to find
something. And among the titles I have earmarked is Richard Askwith’s acclaimed
biography of Emil Zátopek: ‘Today we die a little’.
In preparation for reading the biography, I did a quick online search this morning for some facts relating to
the great athlete and, in a sad coincidence, up popped the New York times
obituary with news that his dear wife Dana had passed away peacefully in Prague
only yesterday, at the age of 97.
In these times when we must be more vigilant
and protective of our elderly family and neighbours than ever, remember that
they are more than just ‘infirm’ or ‘vulnerable’. Like the humble 97 year old
lady who passed away peacefully in Prague yesterday, remember that our older
citizens carry memories of joy, hardship and achievements that we may only ever dream of.
Helsinki Olympics, 1952: Emil has just won the marathon
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