Barbora Spotakova is stunned after setting a surprise world record of 72.28m in the javelin (© Getty Images)
When you think of Czech athletes and javelin World records one name instantly springs to mind - Jan Zelezny. Right?
Yet in the light of what we have been seen today at the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final may have to refresh this assessment after Barbora Spotakova emulated her compatriot in stunning fashion to become a World record holder as the Mercedes-Benz Arena with a mighty first round throw of 72.28m, adding some 58cm to the former World record of Osleidys Menendez of Cuba.
Yet somehow Zelezny just won't go away. Why? Well Spotakova admitted the three-time Olympic gold medallist played a significant role in her success in Stuttgart as she completed a wonderful season in which she was also crowned Olympic champion.
"I was thinking today about how I can throw a PB already and that is already very close to a world record but I never really think about the world record. I was really shocked I didn't expect it so much. Jan is great technically so I have been watching videos of him and how he follows the javelin. For the first time this year I really hit it well."
Zelezny convinced Spotakova to change events
From the Northern Czech town of Jablonec, Spotakova was a former heptathlete who finished fourth at the 2000 World Junior Championships but it was Zelezny who insisted she specialise in the javelin and five years ago she abandoned multi-events to concentrate on one event.
Since then she has steadily risen through the ranks landing the World University Games title in 2005 and a year later claiming a silver medal at the European Championships in Gothenburg.
Last summer a first round throw 66.40m Czech record demoralised the opposition and by the time they woke up she had sealed the gold with a third round 67.07m at the World Championships in Osaka, but this year again she has moved up a notch and posted a European record of 71.42m to land Olympic gold in Beijing.
How much further?
But after smashing the World record aged just 27 - still young for a world-class javelin thrower - the question remains just how much further does the Czech athlete believe she can throw?
"It (the World record of 72.28m) is not the barrier like the 98m in the men's javelin," she explained of Jan Zelezny's record which has stood for 12 years. "I think maybe 75m is possible for a women's throw."
Coached by Rudolf Eerny, Spotakova played down her direct link with Zelezny when asked what influence the Czech great played on a day-to-day basis. However, as she was keen to explain: "Rudolf is in the same club as Jan Zelezny and if I want anything he helps technically. If I have any technical problems he always have the time."
Olympic kit auctioned for charity
Spotakova, who studied at the University of Minnesota in the United States, has an excellent command of English and possesses a generous side to her personality. She auctioned her winning Olympic kit - which fetched almost 13,000 euros bid, interestingly, by the Czech Republic's 1992 Olympic Decathlon champion Robert Zmelik - and gave the money to help a spinal unit at a local hospital.
The newly-minted World record holder also dismissed claims that she did not get long with the top German throwers Christina Obergfoll and Steffi Nerius by insisting there has been a thawing in the relationship.
"We had a nice competition in Jablonec and I took them to U Pinkasu (a famous Prague beerhouse) for a beer. Our relationship has changed now. I'm surprised how nice it is now."
One question however remains. How is she going to spend the $130,000 she received for winning in Stuttgart and setting a World record.
"I have an idea, she smiled."My boyfriend (Lukas, a fireman) and I have already bought a piece of land and it is easier to build a house with a big amount of money."
Steve Landells for the IAAF
