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Today We Die a Little!: The Inimitable Emil Zátopek, the Greatest Olympic Runner of All Time
"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to enjoy something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." -- Emil Zápek
For a decade after the Second World War, Emil Zápek -- "the Czech locomotive" -- redefined the sport of distance running, pushing back the frontiers of what was considered possible. He won five Olympic medals, set eighteen world records, and went undefeated in the 10,000-metre race for six years. His dominance has never been equaled.
In the darkest days of the Cold War, he stood for a spirit of generous friendship that transcended nationality and politics. Zápek was an energetic supporter of the Prague Spring in 1968, championing "socialism with a human face" in Czechoslovakia. But for this he paid a high price. After the uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks, the hardline Communists had their revenge. Zápek was expelled from the army, stripped of his role in national sport, and condemned to years of hard and degrading manual labor.
Based on extensive research in the Czech Republic, interviews with people across the world who knew him, and unprecedented cooperation from his widow, fellow Olympian Dana Zápkovájournalist Richard Askwith's book breathes new life into the man and the myth, uncovering a glorious age of athletics and an epoch-defining time in world history.
For a decade after the Second World War, Emil Zápek -- "the Czech locomotive" -- redefined the sport of distance running, pushing back the frontiers of what was considered possible. He won five Olympic medals, set eighteen world records, and went undefeated in the 10,000-metre race for six years. His dominance has never been equaled.
In the darkest days of the Cold War, he stood for a spirit of generous friendship that transcended nationality and politics. Zápek was an energetic supporter of the Prague Spring in 1968, championing "socialism with a human face" in Czechoslovakia. But for this he paid a high price. After the uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks, the hardline Communists had their revenge. Zápek was expelled from the army, stripped of his role in national sport, and condemned to years of hard and degrading manual labor.
Based on extensive research in the Czech Republic, interviews with people across the world who knew him, and unprecedented cooperation from his widow, fellow Olympian Dana Zápkovájournalist Richard Askwith's book breathes new life into the man and the myth, uncovering a glorious age of athletics and an epoch-defining time in world history.
496 pages, Hardcover
Published May 24, 2016
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August 7, 2017
As a runner myself, I often look for sources of inspiration. Training is rewarding, but every so often a day comes along when I question whether it is all worth it or not. Zatopek proves that is, indeed, all worth it. He put copious amounts of effort into his training, and the number of races he won over his career as a professional athlete clearly shows the results of it.
His training regimen is insanely intense by today's standards, and by the standards of his own era it was even more so. He essentially devised his own form of interval training, increasing its intensity until the level reached awe-inspiring amounts of exertion. What Askwith captures here, with his biography of the legendary runner, is the sheer level of determination and single-mindedness Zatopek possessed. Illness got in the way of his preparation on several occasions, but he never gave up; he did some astonishing things to ensure he got fitter, and fitter.
For example, when he couldn't go outside to run due to bad weather he would simply run on the spot for extended periods of time. He would even do it whilst on guard duty during his time in the military. He was driven by a desire for self-improvement. However, he was also an excellent sportsman. The biography also considers his attitude to other competitors, the respect and encouragement he always gave to them. Despite all his accomplishments, Zatopek never stooped to arrogance. He was calm and he was focused; he was a legendary joker and was renowned for being able to find fun in any situation. He captivated the world when he ran in the Olympics, and his legacy still lingers on today.
Such things, though, are widely known about Zatopek. The true success of Akswith's writing is his ability to get really close to the man. He travelled to the locations where the runner trained, jogged and belted his heart out on the track. The writing brings these sessions to life. The races as told here were energetic and intense even when I knew the endings. They are the words of a runner admiring an extraordinary athlete in the sport. He retells how Zatopek met his wife Dana, and considers how Zatopek's gold medal glory pushed her to reach for the same. His passion for Zatopek and running gives the book an added edge.
The biography goes beyond Zatopek's glory days; the days when he was at his peak, winning three gold medals in one set of Olympic Games, and considers the trials he went through in order to succeed. Indeed, Askwith considers how he got there and what he had to deal with at the time. His life was a constant struggle, but his spirit never faltered even when he was disgraced from his post in the military over political disagreement. He had a lot of pressure on him from his nation of Czechoslovakia; he was their poster boy: their inspiration. He did his utmost best never to let them down. But as Askwith noted, the main person he ran for was himself. He always wanted to do better.
-I received an advanced reading copy of this book from The Bookbag in exchange for an honest review, originally posted here.
His training regimen is insanely intense by today's standards, and by the standards of his own era it was even more so. He essentially devised his own form of interval training, increasing its intensity until the level reached awe-inspiring amounts of exertion. What Askwith captures here, with his biography of the legendary runner, is the sheer level of determination and single-mindedness Zatopek possessed. Illness got in the way of his preparation on several occasions, but he never gave up; he did some astonishing things to ensure he got fitter, and fitter.
For example, when he couldn't go outside to run due to bad weather he would simply run on the spot for extended periods of time. He would even do it whilst on guard duty during his time in the military. He was driven by a desire for self-improvement. However, he was also an excellent sportsman. The biography also considers his attitude to other competitors, the respect and encouragement he always gave to them. Despite all his accomplishments, Zatopek never stooped to arrogance. He was calm and he was focused; he was a legendary joker and was renowned for being able to find fun in any situation. He captivated the world when he ran in the Olympics, and his legacy still lingers on today.
Such things, though, are widely known about Zatopek. The true success of Akswith's writing is his ability to get really close to the man. He travelled to the locations where the runner trained, jogged and belted his heart out on the track. The writing brings these sessions to life. The races as told here were energetic and intense even when I knew the endings. They are the words of a runner admiring an extraordinary athlete in the sport. He retells how Zatopek met his wife Dana, and considers how Zatopek's gold medal glory pushed her to reach for the same. His passion for Zatopek and running gives the book an added edge.
The biography goes beyond Zatopek's glory days; the days when he was at his peak, winning three gold medals in one set of Olympic Games, and considers the trials he went through in order to succeed. Indeed, Askwith considers how he got there and what he had to deal with at the time. His life was a constant struggle, but his spirit never faltered even when he was disgraced from his post in the military over political disagreement. He had a lot of pressure on him from his nation of Czechoslovakia; he was their poster boy: their inspiration. He did his utmost best never to let them down. But as Askwith noted, the main person he ran for was himself. He always wanted to do better.
-I received an advanced reading copy of this book from The Bookbag in exchange for an honest review, originally posted here.
November 5, 2021
Днес почти никой от света извън леката атлетика не помни и не знае, кой е Емил Затопек.
За първи път аз научих за него от разказа на ненадминатото ни спортно перо Иво Иванов, долетял до нас от далечен Канзас:
https://offnews.bg/nashite-avtori/zas...
Когато издателство "Вакон" издаде биографията му на български, вече знаех че ще заеме мястото си в библиотеката ми.
В нея се описва животът на един обикновен човек, призван от магията на спорта да извърши чутовни подвизи.
Книгата е увлекателно и подробно написана, без да спестява нищо - великият атлет и другар на световните спортисти преживява освен славата и своята житейска голгота, от осанна до разпни го! И само може би хората непознали уродливостта на комунизма биха се подвели да го съдят.
Авторът дотолкова добре описва важните състезания в кариерата на Емил, че и аз мисленно се пренасях там. И получих частичка от усещането, какво е 70 000 човека изправени на крака да скандират името ти преди финала на надпреварата!
За-то-пек! За-то-пек! За-то-пек!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqozV...
August 30, 2021
Vylíčit Emila jako zloducha v tragickém osudu Československa znamená špatně chápat jak jeho, tak i ten tragický osud. Byl obětí: ne bez viny, ale přesto obětí.
Pokud se vydáte po stopách Zátopka, tak máte problém. Je toho přehršel; u nás i ve světě. Jenže většina se dá rozdělit do tří kategorií. Jednak na oslavné, kde je Zátopek nespornou legendou světového olympijského sportu, průkopník drilu a spojující most mezi národy. Takové jsou nejčastější a vlastně i nejvděčnější. Pak je tu svět Zátopka "lidového vypravěče" se všemi těmi (polo)pravdami, mýty a historkami. Snad o žádném jiném sportovci (minimálně našem) neexistuje tolik slovutných a všem známých historek; od darovaných olympijských medailí přes eskapády s manželkou Danou až po "hele, Zátopek". Jsou toho kvanta a jak tomu tak bývá, některé jsou přikrášlené a jiné ne, některé mají reálný základ, ale jiné okolnosti. No a ty nejneuvěřitelnější jsou, světe div se, pravdivé. Pak je tu ještě třetí, ryze "čecháčkovská", kategorie Zátopka udavače, armádního důstojníka, komunisty a aktivního spolupracovníka StB.
Ovšem asi to prostě chtělo až pohled zvenčí, ovšem zároveň pohled, který "nám Čechům" a normalizaci rozumí, pohled někoho, kdo Zátopka obdivuje, ale nezavírá oči před chybami, aby se výše tři uvedené kategorie spojily v knize, která je hlavně a především o člověku. Nikoli piedestalovém Zátopkovi či zavrženíhodném komunistickém udavači, ale prostě o Emilu "Ťopkovi" Zátopkovi. A je to kniha, která není ani o píď méně zajímavá než byl Zátopkův život. Tolik kontroverzních momentů, tolik zápisů do dějin sportu, takové inspirování lidí napříč světadíly, tolik vzletů z nuzných poměrů a o to těžších pádů do zapomnění... To je tak neskonale vděčné, že by byl kumšt to promrhat. A Askwith nepromrhává ani stránku.
Pokud vás tedy zajímá TEN Zátopek či "protože sami běháte, tak proč si nepřečíst o nejlepším běžci své doby", tak možná najdete i lepší zdroje. Pokud váš však zajímá investigativní pohled na Ťopkovy osudy, tak pak jen stěží.
Pokud se vydáte po stopách Zátopka, tak máte problém. Je toho přehršel; u nás i ve světě. Jenže většina se dá rozdělit do tří kategorií. Jednak na oslavné, kde je Zátopek nespornou legendou světového olympijského sportu, průkopník drilu a spojující most mezi národy. Takové jsou nejčastější a vlastně i nejvděčnější. Pak je tu svět Zátopka "lidového vypravěče" se všemi těmi (polo)pravdami, mýty a historkami. Snad o žádném jiném sportovci (minimálně našem) neexistuje tolik slovutných a všem známých historek; od darovaných olympijských medailí přes eskapády s manželkou Danou až po "hele, Zátopek". Jsou toho kvanta a jak tomu tak bývá, některé jsou přikrášlené a jiné ne, některé mají reálný základ, ale jiné okolnosti. No a ty nejneuvěřitelnější jsou, světe div se, pravdivé. Pak je tu ještě třetí, ryze "čecháčkovská", kategorie Zátopka udavače, armádního důstojníka, komunisty a aktivního spolupracovníka StB.
Ovšem asi to prostě chtělo až pohled zvenčí, ovšem zároveň pohled, který "nám Čechům" a normalizaci rozumí, pohled někoho, kdo Zátopka obdivuje, ale nezavírá oči před chybami, aby se výše tři uvedené kategorie spojily v knize, která je hlavně a především o člověku. Nikoli piedestalovém Zátopkovi či zavrženíhodném komunistickém udavači, ale prostě o Emilu "Ťopkovi" Zátopkovi. A je to kniha, která není ani o píď méně zajímavá než byl Zátopkův život. Tolik kontroverzních momentů, tolik zápisů do dějin sportu, takové inspirování lidí napříč světadíly, tolik vzletů z nuzných poměrů a o to těžších pádů do zapomnění... To je tak neskonale vděčné, že by byl kumšt to promrhat. A Askwith nepromrhává ani stránku.
Pokud vás tedy zajímá TEN Zátopek či "protože sami běháte, tak proč si nepřečíst o nejlepším běžci své doby", tak možná najdete i lepší zdroje. Pokud váš však zajímá investigativní pohled na Ťopkovy osudy, tak pak jen stěží.
November 1, 2016
At the October Book Café we were presented with a list of contenders for the William Hill prize for sports writing. Well, yawn, I thought... and then we decided on 'an unfamiliar genre' as our next theme, so I thought maybe a sports biography, the sort of thing people get for Christmas to give men who are difficult to buy for. And there was Zatopek, a name from the past that I remembered as significant (and the book would not be all about running, surely, given the politics of Czechoslovakia). Indeed there were two biographies of him on the shortlist.
I went with Askwith and then remembered that I have read a book about running by him which I very much enjoyed, so I anticipated being in for a decent quality of writing. And I was. It is clear from the book that there are 'positions' on Zatopek, but he sold me effortlessly on his. My lips trembled and my eyes watered on several occasions whilst reading... and not because of slushy sentimental writing. There are very, very few places where that does occur and those do not have the same impact.
I run now but I am really not terribly interested in the business of shaving seconds off times, yet I found myself breathlessly gripped by the race element of the book. I appreciated too the way in which the very complex issue of the political climate and Zapotek's part in it was handled, and that the later years of physical and cognitive decline were not rushed through. I don't know whether there was a whole chunk of story swept under the carpet or unresearched out of sensitivity to Dana, his widow... and because of Askwith's presentation of this as very much a love story about a romantic character. Askwith puts just enough of himself into the book - I thought, feared, that he might say too much about his own running, but he does not. He is clearly inspired by a very human hero, and inspires us too, whether we run or not.
I went with Askwith and then remembered that I have read a book about running by him which I very much enjoyed, so I anticipated being in for a decent quality of writing. And I was. It is clear from the book that there are 'positions' on Zatopek, but he sold me effortlessly on his. My lips trembled and my eyes watered on several occasions whilst reading... and not because of slushy sentimental writing. There are very, very few places where that does occur and those do not have the same impact.
I run now but I am really not terribly interested in the business of shaving seconds off times, yet I found myself breathlessly gripped by the race element of the book. I appreciated too the way in which the very complex issue of the political climate and Zapotek's part in it was handled, and that the later years of physical and cognitive decline were not rushed through. I don't know whether there was a whole chunk of story swept under the carpet or unresearched out of sensitivity to Dana, his widow... and because of Askwith's presentation of this as very much a love story about a romantic character. Askwith puts just enough of himself into the book - I thought, feared, that he might say too much about his own running, but he does not. He is clearly inspired by a very human hero, and inspires us too, whether we run or not.
December 16, 2016
Thank you Richard Askwith! I read the book in two days. Finns chanted him 'Satu Peka' (i.e. Pekka, my first name) transl. Fairy-tale Pete. "His defining characteristic was that 'he tried everything differently'." His was criticized for his running style. "Emil shrugged off such jibes. 'I will run with perfect style when they start judging races for their beauty, like figure-skating'... 'For now, I just want to run as fast as possible'." He was very clever, spoke eight languages, Finnish among others. He liked to talk and make people laugh. He showed moral greatness, just like Muhammad Ali when he "refused to be inducted into the US armed forces". He risked attending Helsinki 1952 olympics defending his teammate Stanislaw Jungwirth. The Party decided that Jungwirth could not travel because his father was a political prisoner. Emil said if Stanislaw is not going, I am not either. Their departure was delayed for three days. When the Warsaw Pact countries started invading Czechoslovakia twenty minutes before midnight on August 20, 1968, Emil joined the protestors and denouched the invasion. He had to pay a heavy prize for that. Emil and his wife Dana were both born on September 19, 1922. They also got married on September 19. Emil won 5000 meters in Helsinki. An hour later Dana won the javelin. Emil had many life long friends in his sport, Alain Mimoun and Ron Clarke among others. Zátopek died on November 22, 2000. "It would have been too much to hope to die on the same day as well." No more spoilers. Read the book!
I met and talked to Zátopek on July 26, 1981. He was invited to give prizes at the awards ceremony for the first Helsinki City Marathon. What a memorable day!
I met and talked to Zátopek on July 26, 1981. He was invited to give prizes at the awards ceremony for the first Helsinki City Marathon. What a memorable day!
February 18, 2021
This biopic has everything: an athlete competing at Olympian level (1948, 1952 and 1956); the backdrop of an emerging bipolar world; the threat and deception of an intrusive state; unadulterated joy. Zatopek’s legend is raised to mythical standards.
Zatopek was a Czechoslovak hero and world-famous athlete in the 1950s. He later became a cult-hero, albeit with wildly varying levels of public appreciation.
Askwith delves deep into the historical context of his era, unveiling the cultural and political significance of his races. The framing of sporting glory within the historical narrative is what makes it so special. I love running, but a book that focused on leg cadence certainly wouldn’t grab my attention.
To be fair, runners who author books provide surprising variety in their writing styles; Murakami contemplative and methodical; Parker Jr. dark and elitist; McNuff joyful and haphazard; McDougall pure breathless enthusiasm. I think Askwith’s Zatopek might just pip them all at the finish line.
One reason it is so life-affirming is the extremely high esteem in which the author holds his subject. Askwith admits that Zatopek is his hero. He travels the world to pick up the pieces of the story, even running a half marathon in Zatopek’s hometown, with the great runner’s thoughts racing through his own head:
There are certainly deep moral questions to be asked of Zatopek. The perfect embodiment of the worker spirit, who’d stop at nothing to triumph for his country; he was showcased worldwide as the communist ideal.
He was a committed socialist in theory, but Askwith reveals the nuances and inconsistencies of the ideology in practice. Zatopek was vehemently anti-Soviet during the Prague Spring in 1968 yet had previously put his name to the shaming of prominent liberals in major newspapers.
Socialism demanded that Zatopek run two races simultaneously: one on the international stage, to the acclaim of the global community, and one through the psyche of the people’s republic, to please the overseers in the mines of Jáchymov.
From a runner’s perspective, the guy was a nutcase. 32km training days of 400m sprint repeats. Day after day after day.
From a human perspective, he had a magnetic personality that allowed him to capture hearts and minds in every corner of the globe.
A remarkable man, and a remarkable book.
Zatopek was a Czechoslovak hero and world-famous athlete in the 1950s. He later became a cult-hero, albeit with wildly varying levels of public appreciation.
Askwith delves deep into the historical context of his era, unveiling the cultural and political significance of his races. The framing of sporting glory within the historical narrative is what makes it so special. I love running, but a book that focused on leg cadence certainly wouldn’t grab my attention.
To be fair, runners who author books provide surprising variety in their writing styles; Murakami contemplative and methodical; Parker Jr. dark and elitist; McNuff joyful and haphazard; McDougall pure breathless enthusiasm. I think Askwith’s Zatopek might just pip them all at the finish line.
One reason it is so life-affirming is the extremely high esteem in which the author holds his subject. Askwith admits that Zatopek is his hero. He travels the world to pick up the pieces of the story, even running a half marathon in Zatopek’s hometown, with the great runner’s thoughts racing through his own head:
‘Pain is merciful’I’ve rarely seen such an exhaustive examination of a person’s morality. As if bent by a desire to reveal Zatopek’s innermost thoughts, Askwith queries Zatopek’s major life decisions with a Sherlockian lens, desperate to ascertain whether he acted in good faith.
‘Am I tired? That doesn’t matter’
‘When you can’t keep going, go faster’
There are certainly deep moral questions to be asked of Zatopek. The perfect embodiment of the worker spirit, who’d stop at nothing to triumph for his country; he was showcased worldwide as the communist ideal.
He was a committed socialist in theory, but Askwith reveals the nuances and inconsistencies of the ideology in practice. Zatopek was vehemently anti-Soviet during the Prague Spring in 1968 yet had previously put his name to the shaming of prominent liberals in major newspapers.
Socialism demanded that Zatopek run two races simultaneously: one on the international stage, to the acclaim of the global community, and one through the psyche of the people’s republic, to please the overseers in the mines of Jáchymov.
From a runner’s perspective, the guy was a nutcase. 32km training days of 400m sprint repeats. Day after day after day.
From a human perspective, he had a magnetic personality that allowed him to capture hearts and minds in every corner of the globe.
A remarkable man, and a remarkable book.
January 1, 2018
Когато нямаш сили да продължиш, увеличи скоростта: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/d...
В спорта Емил оставя ярка диря, която Ричард Аскуит проследява подробно - от ранните му години, когато малко случайно започва да тича, през убийствените му тренировки, и състезание след състезание, победа след победа. Чехът прави феноменални неща и губи крайно рядко, а на олимпиадата в Хелзинки през 1952 г. извършва немислимото – печели златни медали на 5000, 10 000 м и в маратона… в който досега не се е състезавал. Четири години по-рано, в Лондон, печели златото на 10 000 метра и среброто на 5000, а в този период и по-рано печели общо десетки състезания на дълги дистанции. Просто никой не може да го победи.
Издателство Вакон
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/d...
В спорта Емил оставя ярка диря, която Ричард Аскуит проследява подробно - от ранните му години, когато малко случайно започва да тича, през убийствените му тренировки, и състезание след състезание, победа след победа. Чехът прави феноменални неща и губи крайно рядко, а на олимпиадата в Хелзинки през 1952 г. извършва немислимото – печели златни медали на 5000, 10 000 м и в маратона… в който досега не се е състезавал. Четири години по-рано, в Лондон, печели златото на 10 000 метра и среброто на 5000, а в този период и по-рано печели общо десетки състезания на дълги дистанции. Просто никой не може да го победи.
Издателство Вакон
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/d...
August 29, 2016
What was it like to be a world class world record holder and be manipulated by your Government. A Government that controlled every day of your life and your very existence. What happens when you fall out of favor and exiled within your own Country. This is a great read about the Man Zatopek and the history of Czechoslovakia.
January 25, 2018
За много книги може да се каже, че са "вдъховяващи", но за малко това важи толкова еднозначно. Освен чисто спортната история на Затопек, авторът, въпреки че е англичанин, предава по много достъпен, популярен, но и достоверен и исторически адекватен начин проблемите с политическия режим в Чехословакия.
Задължителна книга и за спортисти, и за спортни фенове, и за любители на историята
Задължителна книга и за спортисти, и за спортни фенове, и за любители на историята
September 11, 2018
A decent enough biography of the great Emil Zátopek who won the gold medals at 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres and the marathon at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. It's a well researched volume and the author has travelled to get some key interviews but I could have probably done with a bit less of the commie bashing - one almost expected Askwith to start ranting about 'pinkos' such is the facile way he describes the admittedly pretty venal Czechoslovak regime. How so far Zátopek collaborated with or resisted totalitarianism is interesting but the author debates back and forth on this ad nauseam when a few pages of the evidence for and against would have sufficed. It's good on the running of course - Zátopek pioneered the use of interval training and has to be pound for pound one of the greatest athletes of all time at any distance - but I felt the writing was prosaic bordering on the simplistic - as if the publisher had told the author to avoid making the text too authoritative.
June 22, 2016
“Every running enthusiast over a certain age knows something about Zátopek — or thinks they do. But much of it is no more than hearsay: legends and half-truths endlessly recycled and re-embroidered. Many of the most famous tales are simply false. Even those of us who idolize him — who see him, as I do, as a kind of patron saint of running — are liable to find, on closer inspection, that we know far less about him than we think…It is the human side of Zátopek’s story that is still capable of brightening and energizing lives, six decades after his prime and a decade and a half after his death. That is the story that matters.”
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2016/05/b...
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2016/05/b...
August 26, 2016
Life is the most precious thing we have, and even though it just treated us badly, we live on; and we can find a corner where we will feel comfortable even in a table drawer.
December 3, 2017
"Емил беше жива легенда. А една легенда никога не умира."
Пет звезди са малка оценка за този история.
Пет звезди са малка оценка за този история.
October 20, 2018
Една от най-вълнуващите биографии, които са ми попадали. Истински вдъхновяващ разказ.
May 17, 2023
I too dabble in a little bit of running, a non-competitive 10k here and there every so often, but I came across Zatopek in some compilation of motivational quotes ["When you can't keep going, Go Faster"]. Once I started reading up on this "running hobby" I had picked up in the pandemic, I saw him being attributed as the greatest of all times. Further inquiry led me to this lone English biography of a sporting legend relatively unknown for all his achievements. He remains, to this day the only athlete to win the 5,000m, 10,000m and the Marathon in the same Olympics (Hannes Kolehmainen of Finland remains the only other athlete to win all three medals, but it took him more than one Olympics to do so.)
Given such towering achievement one would assume the book would crescendo up this event before petering out with Zatopek running into the inevitable sunset. But, with the life that this man lived, we reach this high point by a third of the book itself! For all who have heard of him (again, the number is not as many as it should be) know that his life is intertwined with a post-WWII Czechoslovakia. Prague Spring and its demise, followed by another brutal regime affected his life. He was at once both a global celebrity and a practical nobody. A list of achievements such as his would surely invoke hubris in the best of us. If not that, the rapid spiral into obscurity would certainly cause ruination. But not for Zatopek. In this, as the author who is certainly an ardent fan notes, Zatopek truly emerges through.
When he ran at the highest levels of the sport, audiences would clamor to see him, they claimed him as one of their own. His humble beginnings and a strained running style made him a people's champion. Much later when he dealt with exigencies of living in an oppressive regime, he displayed another self that most of us, albeit reluctantly, relate to- "looking-the-other-way".
It panged his conscious, like it does for all conscientious men who live through such hard times. Sitting in the cozy armchairs of conformity, we would do well in according this champion a benefit of doubt. Of course, in matters such as these, I concede my opinions to those close to him - his friends, the victims of the regime and his countrymen.
But for me and several others as this British biographer points out he continues to represent something greater.
I once read an article by a sports journalist (I am almost certain, such flair must have been Suresh Menon's pen) about Virat Kohli. Kohli, deservingly is considered one of the greatest cricketers of all times. Kohli, if he appears any shorter in stature, seems so because succeeds two towering figures of Indian Cricket- MS Dhoni and Tendulkar- who still capture the public imagination. Menon (?) writes about an anecdote where a Pakistani Fan (or was it an analyst? I can't seem to find the article) accuses him and us Indians, of not "valuing Kohli enough". "Had he been in Pakistan", the accusation continues, "we would have never hated him for his batting slump."
Menon(?) concludes, making his point- "Heroes are loved more by their away-fans, than by those back home"
This most certainly held true during a large part of Zatopek's life and having read this truly intimate biography one is also bound to feel a certain proximity to this 'everyman champion', who despite his failings, truly grew to fit the title and eventually in his tiring negotiations with the clock, the track, life, politics and eventually time expanded the definition of the word.
Given such towering achievement one would assume the book would crescendo up this event before petering out with Zatopek running into the inevitable sunset. But, with the life that this man lived, we reach this high point by a third of the book itself! For all who have heard of him (again, the number is not as many as it should be) know that his life is intertwined with a post-WWII Czechoslovakia. Prague Spring and its demise, followed by another brutal regime affected his life. He was at once both a global celebrity and a practical nobody. A list of achievements such as his would surely invoke hubris in the best of us. If not that, the rapid spiral into obscurity would certainly cause ruination. But not for Zatopek. In this, as the author who is certainly an ardent fan notes, Zatopek truly emerges through.
When he ran at the highest levels of the sport, audiences would clamor to see him, they claimed him as one of their own. His humble beginnings and a strained running style made him a people's champion. Much later when he dealt with exigencies of living in an oppressive regime, he displayed another self that most of us, albeit reluctantly, relate to- "looking-the-other-way".
It panged his conscious, like it does for all conscientious men who live through such hard times. Sitting in the cozy armchairs of conformity, we would do well in according this champion a benefit of doubt. Of course, in matters such as these, I concede my opinions to those close to him - his friends, the victims of the regime and his countrymen.
But for me and several others as this British biographer points out he continues to represent something greater.
I once read an article by a sports journalist (I am almost certain, such flair must have been Suresh Menon's pen) about Virat Kohli. Kohli, deservingly is considered one of the greatest cricketers of all times. Kohli, if he appears any shorter in stature, seems so because succeeds two towering figures of Indian Cricket- MS Dhoni and Tendulkar- who still capture the public imagination. Menon (?) writes about an anecdote where a Pakistani Fan (or was it an analyst? I can't seem to find the article) accuses him and us Indians, of not "valuing Kohli enough". "Had he been in Pakistan", the accusation continues, "we would have never hated him for his batting slump."
Menon(?) concludes, making his point- "Heroes are loved more by their away-fans, than by those back home"
This most certainly held true during a large part of Zatopek's life and having read this truly intimate biography one is also bound to feel a certain proximity to this 'everyman champion', who despite his failings, truly grew to fit the title and eventually in his tiring negotiations with the clock, the track, life, politics and eventually time expanded the definition of the word.
October 15, 2018
"That was the thing about Emil. He was a romantic: the most romantic of all runners. He looked for romance not just in love, but in friendship; and not just in friendship, but in sport. He took something mundane - "putting one foot in front of the other, as fast as possible, for as long as possible"(...) and made it into a thrilling adventure, a daring exploration, in which all were welcome to join him, of just how far a human being could reach. He could have just been a runner who won races. Instead, he was a runner who loved life."
*
Личи си, че е книга, писана от човек, който с години е приемал Затопек като свой личен герой.
Да я прочета, ме привлече красивото, съдбовното, извънмерното в историята на прочутия бегач - трите златни медала от Олимпиадата в Хелзинки, случили се в разстояние от няколко дни (докато на същата Олимпиада съпругата му Дана също печели златен медал). Любовната история с Дана (родени на един и същи ден, в една и съща година - а аз все си умирам за такива случайности). Жестовете на обич към съперниците в бягането; приятелствата; бохемската жилка, чувството за хумор.
Но животът на Затопек е и съмненията дали е бил агент на комунистическите служби, участието в Пражката пролет и публичните отричания впоследствия, малките или по-големите възможни предателства, собственото му изгнание в провинцията, далеч от Дана, далеч от спорта.
Ричард Аскуит разказва с много разбиране.
*
Личи си, че е книга, писана от човек, който с години е приемал Затопек като свой личен герой.
Да я прочета, ме привлече красивото, съдбовното, извънмерното в историята на прочутия бегач - трите златни медала от Олимпиадата в Хелзинки, случили се в разстояние от няколко дни (докато на същата Олимпиада съпругата му Дана също печели златен медал). Любовната история с Дана (родени на един и същи ден, в една и съща година - а аз все си умирам за такива случайности). Жестовете на обич към съперниците в бягането; приятелствата; бохемската жилка, чувството за хумор.
Но животът на Затопек е и съмненията дали е бил агент на комунистическите служби, участието в Пражката пролет и публичните отричания впоследствия, малките или по-големите възможни предателства, собственото му изгнание в провинцията, далеч от Дана, далеч от спорта.
Ричард Аскуит разказва с много разбиране.
December 9, 2018
Emil was far from perfect, but he had a good crack at it. Beautifully written, a great insight into a great man. Inspirational, moving, wonderful... I laughed, I cried. Also, he's right about the beer.
February 2, 2022
A very interesting look into the life of the Zatopek. The book does a great job of digging into who he really was and the challenges that were unique to his worldwide popularity as a runner and his role in a communist regime.
September 20, 2019
This is a beautiful telling of an incredible story.
April 16, 2021
Wasn’t too sure if I��d enjoy this one but ending up loving it. Thanks for sending me this, mother x
September 27, 2020
A book of 2 halves. Really enjoyed both and sad at how things can be forgotten so quickly and how fame can really bring about opinions from everyone.
August 31, 2021
What a story, what a champ.
Should come with a health warning though ... far too motivational and fooled me into thinking I could do way more running than I'm able to ;)
"If you cannot run any more ... run faster"
Should come with a health warning though ... far too motivational and fooled me into thinking I could do way more running than I'm able to ;)
"If you cannot run any more ... run faster"
December 31, 2019
For a decade (1940-1950) no man dominated track events like Emil Zatopek. More interestingly was how he did it.
Zatopek didn't have the 'eye of the tiger' as he moved around during warm-ups. He gave his competitors a pat on the back and an encouraging word. He was a friend to all athletes and runners - a true ambassador. "Great is the victory, but greater still is the friendship"- Zatopek
Once the gun sounded make no mistake, Zatopek was a savage competitor and his physical training preparation was equally savage.
He had a simple approach to training. Running at race pace or goal pace of intervals clocking daily distances of 10-20 miles. But this wasn't all. He developed off track workouts that included running in military boots and also carrying his equally talented wife up hills.
A well-told story on an incredible athlete.
Zatopek didn't have the 'eye of the tiger' as he moved around during warm-ups. He gave his competitors a pat on the back and an encouraging word. He was a friend to all athletes and runners - a true ambassador. "Great is the victory, but greater still is the friendship"- Zatopek
Once the gun sounded make no mistake, Zatopek was a savage competitor and his physical training preparation was equally savage.
He had a simple approach to training. Running at race pace or goal pace of intervals clocking daily distances of 10-20 miles. But this wasn't all. He developed off track workouts that included running in military boots and also carrying his equally talented wife up hills.
A well-told story on an incredible athlete.
July 1, 2018
"Името Затопек се превърна в синоним на понятията скорост, издръжливост, ефективност, надеждност, боен дух и сила на волята. Не бих се учудил, ако един ден го видим в речниците като нарицателно за всички тези термини."
Отакар Машек
Отакар Машек
January 23, 2020
Не съм от хората, увлечени от бягането като спорт. Със спорта като цяло сме на Вие. И биографиите понякога са ми доста доскучаващи.
Но...
Винаги има едно но.
ЗА първи път чух (прочетох) името на Затопек от статията на Иво Иванов. Една от най-любимите ми негови истории по принцип, и една от двете истории, които ми насълзяват очите още преди да започна да си го препрочитам. Личността на този голям бегач, но и голям човек е просто вдъхновение. Няма как човек да не го обикне.
"Днес всички ще умрем по малко" е от книгите, които още с първите изречения привличат вниманието и те карат да зарежеш всичко друго. Написана по някакъв топъл начин, усещаш уважението и възхитата на автора, който желае да ни разкрие Човека Затопек, за да може да го опознаем.
И ако ра��делим биографията на две части, първата отразява успехите на Емил, който от бедно дете израства в безспорен шампион. Но шампион, на когото всички се възхищават и обичат заради добротата и откритостта му към хората. Толкова вдъхновяваща е, че в един момент аха да се за питаш дали да не излезеш да потичаш.
Втората част е Емил, който изведнъж се е превърнал в ненужен на властта (която до скоро не се е свенила да използва успехите му в своята пропаганда). Години на изолация, на отчуждение и забрава. Емил, когото цял свят уважава и приветства, е отритнат от своите. Емил, който преди това е търсен от всеки, сега е отбягва от всеки (с изключение на най-близките му останали приятели)
Накрая затворих книгата с леко насълзени очи, но и с много голямо уважение към великия Затопек.
И както хората на трибуните в Хелзинки в онзи знаменит ден и на мен ми се идса от вътре
"За-То-Пек, За-То-Пет, Сату Пека"
Но...
Винаги има едно но.
ЗА първи път чух (прочетох) името на Затопек от статията на Иво Иванов. Една от най-любимите ми негови истории по принцип, и една от двете истории, които ми насълзяват очите още преди да започна да си го препрочитам. Личността на този голям бегач, но и голям човек е просто вдъхновение. Няма как човек да не го обикне.
"Днес всички ще умрем по малко" е от книгите, които още с първите изречения привличат вниманието и те карат да зарежеш всичко друго. Написана по някакъв топъл начин, усещаш уважението и възхитата на автора, който желае да ни разкрие Човека Затопек, за да може да го опознаем.
И ако ра��делим биографията на две части, първата отразява успехите на Емил, който от бедно дете израства в безспорен шампион. Но шампион, на когото всички се възхищават и обичат заради добротата и откритостта му към хората. Толкова вдъхновяваща е, че в един момент аха да се за питаш дали да не излезеш да потичаш.
Втората част е Емил, който изведнъж се е превърнал в ненужен на властта (която до скоро не се е свенила да използва успехите му в своята пропаганда). Години на изолация, на отчуждение и забрава. Емил, когото цял свят уважава и приветства, е отритнат от своите. Емил, който преди това е търсен от всеки, сега е отбягва от всеки (с изключение на най-близките му останали приятели)
Накрая затворих книгата с леко насълзени очи, но и с много голямо уважение към великия Затопек.
И както хората на трибуните в Хелзинки в онзи знаменит ден и на мен ми се идса от вътре
"За-То-Пек, За-То-Пет, Сату Пека"
July 10, 2018
If you’ve read anything about running history you are probably aware of Emil Zatopek, and can roll off his major biographical details and characteristics: his 1952 sweep of distance running events in the Olympics, his herky-jerky form that was described by one sportswriter as “like a man wrestling with an octopus on a conveyer belt,” and some poor treatment from the Communist Czechoslovakian regime after he retired from running. While Zatopek’s name is still revered in running history (he was named the greatest runner ever by Runner’s World magazine in 2013) English-speaking readers have only had a few incomplete biographies of the life of “the Czech Locomotive.” Richard Askwith fills this void with Today We Die a Little, a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of Zatopek. It brings new revelations such as Zatopek’s stand-off with Czechoslovakian authorities in protest of a fellow athlete being barred from competing due to his father being imprisoned for political crimes, resulting in Zatopek threatening to sit out the 1952 games and ultimately arriving late into Helsinki after forcing the authorities to back down. Askwith also presents Zatopek as a complex figure who despite his many positive attributes also had an occasionally rocky relationship with his wife Dana and was suspected by some as being a Communist operative.
Zatopek’s early life bucks the trope of the athlete whose talent is apparent from an early age. Growing up in a large poor family during the Great Depression, he was deterred from playing sports as a child for fear of wearing down his shoes. He only really took to running to relieve himself of the monotony of training as a shoemaker. Running served as an escape and a safe haven for Zatopek throughout his life, whether it was from the shoe factory or the oppressive Communist Czechoslovakian regime. He was constantly experimenting with ways to optimize his training and no strategy was too strange to try at least once, including trying to hold his breath for long periods (to the point where he once passed out) and eating birch leaves under one of the more unappetizing examples of the post hoc ergo proptor hoc fallacies (because deer eat birch leaves and deer are fast, QED). Askwith also dispels some myths associated with Zatopek, including that he trained often carrying his wife on his shoulders.
After a disappointing showing in the 1948 Olympics where his overexertion on a qualifying heat killed his chances of winning the 10K, Zatopek hit his peak in 1952 with his sweep of the distance running events, a feat that we will likely never see again. Askwith speculates that Zatopek may have entered the marathon, a distance he had never tried before, in 1952 as a hedge against poor performance in the 5K and 10K, as failing to meet expectations could have damaging repercussions as some athletes were sent to labor camps after underperforming on the world’s athletic stage. Askwith is able to bring the 1952 Olympics to life with his extensive research, plumbing through tons of primary source documents and also drawing heavily from interviews with Emil’s wife Dana for further insights.
Zatopek’s life was less rosy once he retired from running. After Czechoslovakia liberalized following the Prague Spring in 1968, Zatopek was expelled from the military (where he worked a series of different jobs and served as an athletic ambassador for the country) and forced to work a series of menial jobs, though he claims to have enjoyed some of his postings that required manual labor. On the track Zatopek was revered by his fellow competitors as one of the friendliest people they had ever met, but Askwith gives an evenhanded analysis of Zatopek’s conduct outside of sports. Zatopek had a complicated relationship with the Communist Party, as he was not afraid of challenging the regime but also “wrote” a letter criticizing opposition politician Milada Horakova who was charged with false claims of conspiracy and treason and eventually executed, and some figures accused Zatopek of being a Communist snitch. Askwith weighs the merit of such claims and ultimately concludes that there is not enough evidence to firmly rule in one direction or the other. Today We Die a Little never veers into hagiographic territory and by mentioning such suspicions and Zatopek’s extramarital relationships give the reader a fuller picture of Zatopek.
Running books usually fall firmly in either the “running performance improvement” (e.g. Daniel’s Running Formula) or “pure entertainment” (e.g. The Perfect Mile) camp, with little overlap. Askwith does provide details on some of Zatopek’s most crushing workouts and some entries from his training diary (mostly an absurdly high volume of 400-meter repeats with very little rest in between reps), but these are more to reveal the character and indomitable will and mental fortitude that the runner possessed more than a prescription for running success. Although Zatopek was ahead of the curve on topics such as the value of intervals, running science has advanced by leaps and bounds since his heyday and it is not advisable to follow Zatopek’s training plan to the letter, but we can all learn from his willpower. It is hard to read about Zatopek’s training plans and his absurd feats, including winning the European Championships one year basically immediately after being hospitalized for terrible food poisoning and having his stomach pumped, and not feel a little inspired. It certainly puts a runner’s own tempo runs or “long” runs in perspective, and I often find myself reflecting on Zatopek’s toughness when I start dragging on my own runs. Zatopek’s times may no longer seem quite so incredible (his record-breaking 10K time in 1952 would have finished 24th in the 2012 Olympics), he remains an inspiration to runners everywhere due to his willpower and character. His life in general makes for quite entertaining reading. Askwith does a commendable job at humanizing Zatopek and telling his story and I’m grateful that he has contributed Today We Die a Little to the running literary canon.
8 / 10
Zatopek’s early life bucks the trope of the athlete whose talent is apparent from an early age. Growing up in a large poor family during the Great Depression, he was deterred from playing sports as a child for fear of wearing down his shoes. He only really took to running to relieve himself of the monotony of training as a shoemaker. Running served as an escape and a safe haven for Zatopek throughout his life, whether it was from the shoe factory or the oppressive Communist Czechoslovakian regime. He was constantly experimenting with ways to optimize his training and no strategy was too strange to try at least once, including trying to hold his breath for long periods (to the point where he once passed out) and eating birch leaves under one of the more unappetizing examples of the post hoc ergo proptor hoc fallacies (because deer eat birch leaves and deer are fast, QED). Askwith also dispels some myths associated with Zatopek, including that he trained often carrying his wife on his shoulders.
After a disappointing showing in the 1948 Olympics where his overexertion on a qualifying heat killed his chances of winning the 10K, Zatopek hit his peak in 1952 with his sweep of the distance running events, a feat that we will likely never see again. Askwith speculates that Zatopek may have entered the marathon, a distance he had never tried before, in 1952 as a hedge against poor performance in the 5K and 10K, as failing to meet expectations could have damaging repercussions as some athletes were sent to labor camps after underperforming on the world’s athletic stage. Askwith is able to bring the 1952 Olympics to life with his extensive research, plumbing through tons of primary source documents and also drawing heavily from interviews with Emil’s wife Dana for further insights.
Zatopek’s life was less rosy once he retired from running. After Czechoslovakia liberalized following the Prague Spring in 1968, Zatopek was expelled from the military (where he worked a series of different jobs and served as an athletic ambassador for the country) and forced to work a series of menial jobs, though he claims to have enjoyed some of his postings that required manual labor. On the track Zatopek was revered by his fellow competitors as one of the friendliest people they had ever met, but Askwith gives an evenhanded analysis of Zatopek’s conduct outside of sports. Zatopek had a complicated relationship with the Communist Party, as he was not afraid of challenging the regime but also “wrote” a letter criticizing opposition politician Milada Horakova who was charged with false claims of conspiracy and treason and eventually executed, and some figures accused Zatopek of being a Communist snitch. Askwith weighs the merit of such claims and ultimately concludes that there is not enough evidence to firmly rule in one direction or the other. Today We Die a Little never veers into hagiographic territory and by mentioning such suspicions and Zatopek’s extramarital relationships give the reader a fuller picture of Zatopek.
Running books usually fall firmly in either the “running performance improvement” (e.g. Daniel’s Running Formula) or “pure entertainment” (e.g. The Perfect Mile) camp, with little overlap. Askwith does provide details on some of Zatopek’s most crushing workouts and some entries from his training diary (mostly an absurdly high volume of 400-meter repeats with very little rest in between reps), but these are more to reveal the character and indomitable will and mental fortitude that the runner possessed more than a prescription for running success. Although Zatopek was ahead of the curve on topics such as the value of intervals, running science has advanced by leaps and bounds since his heyday and it is not advisable to follow Zatopek’s training plan to the letter, but we can all learn from his willpower. It is hard to read about Zatopek’s training plans and his absurd feats, including winning the European Championships one year basically immediately after being hospitalized for terrible food poisoning and having his stomach pumped, and not feel a little inspired. It certainly puts a runner’s own tempo runs or “long” runs in perspective, and I often find myself reflecting on Zatopek’s toughness when I start dragging on my own runs. Zatopek’s times may no longer seem quite so incredible (his record-breaking 10K time in 1952 would have finished 24th in the 2012 Olympics), he remains an inspiration to runners everywhere due to his willpower and character. His life in general makes for quite entertaining reading. Askwith does a commendable job at humanizing Zatopek and telling his story and I’m grateful that he has contributed Today We Die a Little to the running literary canon.
8 / 10
December 5, 2019
Tato práce by se mohla stát standardním životopisem našeho rekordmana a bude jen těžko překonána. Obsahuje všechny (relevantní) podrobnosti, na které lze pomyslet, a současně autor nebyl líný zformulovat zobecňující myšlenky.
Blog: http://jarmik-pise.blogspot.com/2019/...
Blog: http://jarmik-pise.blogspot.com/2019/...
February 16, 2017
Best Zatopek bio I have read (including the czech ones)
- good from sporting perspective
- great from historical perspective (the parts after the Prague spring in 1968 is very good)
I highly recommend every runner to read it.
- good from sporting perspective
- great from historical perspective (the parts after the Prague spring in 1968 is very good)
I highly recommend every runner to read it.
February 26, 2021
Увлекателната история на един легендарен бегач. Помага на читателя да се потопи във времето, в което е живял Затопек. Единственото, което не ми хареса, е че е написана сякаш се отнася за футболен мач или друго спортно събитие, на което авторът е коментатор.
August 9, 2016
Interesting book. I didn't know much about his life, other than the gold medals, until I read this. He was quite an interesting person.
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