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Sporting Witness: Emil Zatopek

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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)

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