Emil Zatopek Quotes

Czech Republic, Athlete
September 19, 1922 – November, 22, 2000.

Emil Zátopek (19 September 1922 – 22 November 2000) was a Czechoslovak long-distance runner best known for winning three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life. He was nicknamed the "Czech Locomotive".

When I was young, I was too slow. I thought I must learn to run fast by practicing to run fast, so I ran 100 meters fast 20 times. Then I came back, slow, slow, slow.

Emil Zatopek
We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.

Emil Zatopek
- Men
- Different
- Experience

Men, today we die a little.

Emil Zatopek
- Men
- Today
- Die
My running was very simple; it was out of myself.

Emil Zatopek
- Running
- Simple
A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.

Emil Zatopek
- Money
- Heart
You can't climb up to the second floor without a ladder. When you set your aim too high and don't fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it.

Emil Zatopek
- Up
- High
Great is the victory, but the friendship of all is greater.

Emil Zatopek
- Great
- Friendship
- Victory
The athlete of today is not an athlete alone. He's the center of a team - doctors, scientists, coaches, agents and so on.

Emil Zatopek
- Today
- Team
- Alone

If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's besides the point. It's simply that I just have to.

Emil Zatopek
- Long
- Power
- Training
If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.

Emil Zatopek
To boast of a performance which I cannot beat is merely stupid vanity. And if I can beat it that means there is nothing special about it. What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.

Emil Zatopek
- Interesting
- Stupid
It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.

Emil Zatopek
- Men
- Pain
- Suffering
There is a great advantage in training under unfavorable conditions. It is better to train under bad conditions, for the difference is then a tremendous relief in a race.

Emil Zatopek
- Great
- Bad
- Training
An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.

Emil Zatopek
- Money
- Heart
- Hope

Why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn to run fast.

Emil Zatopek
- Why
- Running
- Practice
What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.

Emil Zatopek
- Interesting