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Ludvík Daněk

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Ludvík Daněk
Personal information
NationalityCzech
Born(1937-01-06)January 6, 1937
Blansko, Czechoslovakia
DiedNovember 16, 1998(1998-11-16) (aged 61)
Hutisko-Solanec, Czech Republic
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight123 kg (271 lb)
Sport
Country Czechoslovakia
SportAthletics
EventDiscus throw
ClubSpartak Brno, Sparta Praha
Achievements and titles
Personal best67.18 m (1974)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Czechoslovakia
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1972 Munich Discus throw
Silver medal – second place 1964 Tokyo Discus throw
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Mexico Discus throw
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1971 Helsinki Discus throw
Silver medal – second place 1974 Rome Discus throw

Ludvík Daněk (Czech pronunciation: [ˈludviːk ˈdaɲɛk]; 6 January 1937 – 16 November 1998)[1] was a Czechoslovak discus thrower, who won the gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games with a throw of 64.40 m (211'3").

Daněk was born in Blansko, and competed in four Summer Olympics for Czechoslovakia, winning silver in 1964 Olympics, bronze in 1968 Olympics and gold in 1972 Olympics. He set three world records in discus throw, of 64.55 m in 1964, 65.22 m in 1965 and of 66.07 m in 1966. He also won several medals at the European Athletics Championships. He was the gold medallist at the 1971 European Athletics Championships and was the silver medallist three years later at the 1974 European Athletics Championships.[2]

After retiring from competitions Daněk became a sports administrator, and served as vice-president of the Czech athletics federation.[2] The location where he set his first world record in 1964 is now celebrated with a memorial circle, and the venue in Turnov is now called the Ludvík Daněk Stadium. He died in Hutisko-Solanec near Vsetín, aged 61. Since 1999, the year following his death, the stadium has hosted an annual track and field meeting in his honour – the Ludvík Daněk Memorial.[3]

Major competitions

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Olympedia - Ludvík Danek". olympedia.org. OlyMADMen. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b Ludvik Danek. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2 June 2013.
  3. ^ Memoriál Ludvíka Daňka v Turnově. Themis. Retrieved on 2 June 2013.
Records
Preceded by Men's Discus World Record Holder
2 August 1964 – 25 May 1968
Succeeded by