Zatopek, Emil

Zatopek, Emil (1922-2000), Czech distance runner.

Emil Zatopek was the greatest runner of his time and perhaps the greatest distance runner of all time.

He became world famous in the 1948 Olympic Games, winning the 10,000 meters and being second in the 5,000 meters.

Four years later, he won three Olympic gold medals 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and the marathon.

From 1948-54, he was never beaten in a 10,000 meters race, winning thirty-eight races in a row, and he set new records at distances from 5,000 meters to 30,000.