Josef Odložil
Encyclopedia
Josef Odložil (ˈjozɛf ˈodloʒɪl; November 11, 1938 in Otrokovice
– September 10, 1993 in Domašov) was a Czech
middle distance runner. He was a national champion many times in the 1960s, but had mixed success at the international level.
At his first ever major competition, the 1962 European Championships
in Belgrade, Odložil was eliminated in the 800 metres
semi-final. Two years later he decided to try at the 1500 metres
, bringing himself fame at the 1964 Summer Olympics
in Tokyo.
The 1500 m final in Tokyo was won easily by Peter Snell
from New Zealand. Josef Odložil managed to run for silver in the same time as Snell's compatriot John Davies
, who reached bronze. In 1965 Josef Odložil set a world record on 2000 m (5:01,2).
The 1966 European Championships
were disastrous for Odložil, where he ended in the heats. He did better again at the European Indoor Championships in Prague, taking silver at the 1500 m.
The wedding at the Mexico 1968 Summer Olympics
of Josef Odložil and Věra Čáslavská
, the Czechoslovak 7 fold Olympic Champion in gymnastics, attracted the attention of many people.
At the age of 55, In the summer of 1993 Martin, the 19-year-old son of Belief Chaslavsky, in drunk fight has killed own father, the ex-husband of the sportswoman Joseph Odlozhila. Martin has been condemned for 4 years of imprisonment, however is pardoned by the personal order of the president of the country of Vaclav Gavel at the desire of mother.. Since 1994 the Josef Odložil Memorial
meet takes place in Prague in order to remember the athlete.
Otrokovice
Otrokovice is a town in the Zlín Region, Czech Republic. It is located in a hilly country town centrally located in a region called Moravia and is located on the Morava river. The approximate population in 1967 was 20,000 people. A large shoe factory founded by Tomáš Baťa provided work for many....
– September 10, 1993 in Domašov) was a Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
middle distance runner. He was a national champion many times in the 1960s, but had mixed success at the international level.
At his first ever major competition, the 1962 European Championships
1962 European Championships in Athletics
The 7th European Athletics Championships were held from 12 September to 16 September 1962 in the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.-Men's results:-Women's results:-Medal table:-References:* *...
in Belgrade, Odložil was eliminated in the 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
semi-final. Two years later he decided to try at the 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
, bringing himself fame at the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
in Tokyo.
The 1500 m final in Tokyo was won easily by Peter Snell
Peter Snell
Sir Peter George Snell, KNZM, MBE is a former New Zealand athlete, now resident in Texas, United States. He had one of the shortest careers of world famous international sportsmen, yet achieved so much that he was voted New Zealand’s "Sports Champion of the Century"...
from New Zealand. Josef Odložil managed to run for silver in the same time as Snell's compatriot John Davies
John Davies (athlete)
John Llewellyn Davies was a New Zealand Olympic bronze medalist and president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee ....
, who reached bronze. In 1965 Josef Odložil set a world record on 2000 m (5:01,2).
The 1966 European Championships
1966 European Championships in Athletics
The 8th European Athletics Championships were held from 30 August to 4 September 1966 in the Nép Stadium in Budapest, Hungary.-Men's results:-Women's results:-Medal table:- References :* *...
were disastrous for Odložil, where he ended in the heats. He did better again at the European Indoor Championships in Prague, taking silver at the 1500 m.
The wedding at the Mexico 1968 Summer Olympics
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
of Josef Odložil and Věra Čáslavská
Vera Cáslavská
Věra Čáslavská is a Czech gymnast. Blonde, cheerful and possessing impressive stage presence, she was generally popular with the public and won a total of 22 international titles...
, the Czechoslovak 7 fold Olympic Champion in gymnastics, attracted the attention of many people.
At the age of 55, In the summer of 1993 Martin, the 19-year-old son of Belief Chaslavsky, in drunk fight has killed own father, the ex-husband of the sportswoman Joseph Odlozhila. Martin has been condemned for 4 years of imprisonment, however is pardoned by the personal order of the president of the country of Vaclav Gavel at the desire of mother.. Since 1994 the Josef Odložil Memorial
Josef Odložil Memorial
The Josef Odložil Memorial is an annual track and field meeting which takes place in June at the Stadion Juliska in Prague, Czech Republic....
meet takes place in Prague in order to remember the athlete.