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Jan ZeleznyCzechoslovakian and Czech javelin thrower
Date of Birth: 16.06.1966
Country:  Czech |
Content:
Biography of Jan Železný
Jan Železný is a Czechoslovak and Czech javelin thrower, a three-time Olympic champion, and a three-time world champion. He won the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996, and 2000, and achieved second place at the 1988 Olympics. He also won gold at the World Championships in 1993, 1995, and 2001, and bronze in 1987 and 1999. Due to his long and highly successful career, he is considered the greatest javelin thrower of all time.
Record-Breaking Achievements
In addition to holding the world record with a throw of 98.48 meters, Železný also holds the Championship record with a distance of 92.80 meters. His world record is more than 5 meters ahead of the second-place result by Finnish thrower Aki Parviainen (93.09 meters). Železný has completed 53 throws over 90 meters, which is more than all other javelin throwers combined as of September 23, 2007.
Recognitions and Retirement
Železný was named World Athlete of the Year in 2000 and European Athlete of the Year in 1996 and 2000. He was also recognized as the best athlete in the Czech Republic in 1993, 1995, 2000, and 2001. In 2006, Železný concluded his career in his hometown of Mladá Boleslav and transitioned into coaching. On May 25, 1996, he set a world record in Jena, which remains unbeaten to this day (98.48 meters).
