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News08 Nov 2000


Zatopek in serious condition in hospital

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Reuters
8 November 2000Prague - Olympic gold medallist Emil Zatopek is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a stroke, his doctor said on Wednesday.

"His condition is very serious," Dr. Jaroslav Elis, head of neurology at the Prague Central Military hospital where the 78-year-old is being treated, told Reuters.

"It is a common thing in these situations that it is not just an illness of the brain but other organs suffer as well,
heart, lungs, kidneys."

Elis declined to give further information about the long distance runner's condition. Zatopek has been in hospital since October 30.

It is the third time this year the four-times gold medallist has been admitted. In September Zatopek was taken to hospital suffering from pneumonia. He broke a hip earlier this year.

Zatopek's finest achievements came at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics when he won the 5,000 and 10,000 metres plus the marathon in the space of eight days, each in Olympic record time.

His marathon victory was particularly noteworthy. In his debut, Zatopek demoralised his rivals by casually inquiring if the pace was fast enough before going on to win by 700 metres.

Zatopek was expelled from the army and the Communist party for supporting the 1968 democratic movement known as the Prague Spring, but was eventually rehired by the Ministry of Sport until he retired in 1982.

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