Emil Zatopek
Emil Zatopek
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"...
NationalityCzechoslovakian
ProfessionRunner
Date of Birth19 September 1922
CityKoprivnice, Czech Republic
If you want to run, then run a mile. If you want to experience another life, run a marathon.
Perhaps sometimes I was like a mad dog. It didn't matter about style or what it looked like to others; there were records to break.
You can't climb to the second floor without a ladder. Try for a goal that's reasonable, then gradually raise it.
A runner must run with dreams in his heart.
There is a great advantage in training under unfavorable conditions. It is better to train under bad conditions, for the difference is then a tremendous relief in a race.
If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.
By a persistent effort of will it is possible to change the whole body. The athlete must always keep in mind this concept of change and progression. He must never accept his limitations as being permanent, because they are not.
If you come to think of it, you never see deer, dogs and rabbits worrying about their menus and yet they run much faster than humans.
I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time
You can't climb up to the second floor without a ladder. When you set your aim too high and don't fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it.
It is not necessary to smile and make a wonderful impression on the judges.
I was unable to walk for a whole week after that, so much did the race take out of me. But it was the most pleasant exhaustion I have ever known.
Why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn to run fast.
What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.