I'm a high school runner and lately I've become very intersted in Emile Zatopek. I was just wondering if anyone could recommend some websites or books where I can learn about his training and etc.. I would appreciate any information that you could give me. Thanks..
Short bio and some cool pictures.
Google his name to get a whole list of links.
I've got an Olympic picture of him as my screensaver with my favorite quote of his:
"It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated form the boys."
Unfortunately, the picture that looks the best is the 5k in London wherein he finished 2nd.
Truly one of the all time greatest champions in any sport, and a class act too.
If I recall correctly, Michael Sandrock's Running With the Legends book has a good section on Zatopek. You can probably find it at your local library, or order it from a bookstore.
There was a book published recently in England that is absolutely superb. I checked amazon.com for you and it isn't available through them but amazon.co.uk has it available. Don't listen to the one negative review, the book is great. It is probably the only extensive biography on Zatopek in the English language. It goes over his whole life and has times from every race he ran since when he was in high school. The title is Za-to-pek!, Za-to-pek!, Za-to-pek!: The life and times of the world's greatest distance runner by Bob Phillips.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1903158257/ref=sr_aps_books_1_1/202-0106252-1849470
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Actually in July of 1998 I was in Prague training and racing. I met a coach there named Dr. Shamon who was the director of the Olymp Training Center. I asked him several questions about Emil. Before it was over he called up Emil and we ended up going to their home along with a couple of my running buddies to eat lunch one day. Emil and Dana (his wife who won the 1952 Oly Javelin)where great. I really enjoyed talking with him about all kinds of stuff. Emil was something else. He could speak 7 languages and I tell you the people of the Czech Republic loved the guy.
They were simple folks, lived in a very simple home and had a garden. They gave us all kids of stuff to take home like t-shirts, Czech Oly Pins, pictures, etc.
The coolest thing was that Dr. Shamon gave me a glass framed black and white autographed picture of Emil winning the 1952 Helsinki Oly marathan. This picture came right off of the wall of fame wall at the Olymp Training Center in Prague. No kidding.
Anyway Zatopek was an amazing guy, not just because of what he did as a runner, but more for what he did for his country. Study as much as you can about that stuf because that's where he made his biggest impact was in fighting against the communist system.
Emil Zatopek passed away Nov 22, 2000.
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