Emil Zátopek Emil Zátopek 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". In 1954, Zátopek was the first runner to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000 metres. Three years earlier in 1951, he had broken the hour for running 20 km. He
Sportsperson of the Year (Czech Republic) Sportsperson of the Year (Czech Republic) Sportsperson of the Year () is an award given by the Sport Journalists' Club (, KSN) to the best Sportsperson and the best Sport Team of the given year in the Czech Republic. For the first time it was awarded after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, following the previous trophy Sportsperson of the Year of Czechoslovakia. Since 2000, the KSN has voted also for a Sport Legend. This award has been called The Emil Zátopek Award since 2001, after the first chosen legend, runner Emil Zátopek. Since 2002, Czech Foundation of the Sport