Other

BBC World Service East Asia

Sporting Witness

Podcasts

Factual: History

Sport

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

Sporting Witness: Emil Zatopek

Documentaries

zatopek 1 cropped.jpg

13/08/2016 GMT

Emil Zatopek

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, Emil Zatopek

The legendary Czechoslovak runner who won three golds at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

In 1952, the Czechoslovak army officer, Emil Zatopek, won three distance-running gold medals at the Helsinki Olympics. As well as achieving a unique feat in athletics, Zatopek charmed the world at the height of the Cold War with his blend of fun, generosity and ability to speak eight languages. Simon Watts introduces archive recordings of Emil Zatopek and talks to Richard Askwith, author of "Today we die a little: The rise and fall of Emil Zatopek".

PHOTO: Emil Zatopek leading the Olympic 5,000 metres in 1952 (AFP/Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sporting Witness

Emil Zatopek

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East Asia

About BBC World Service