Barbora Spotakova on Jan Zelezny

In the latest in our series Olympic javelin champion Barbora Špotakova talks to spikesmag.com about her admiration for her Czech compatriot and men’s world javelin record holder Jan Zelezny.

"I admired many sportsmen and I especially like athletes who last a long time and have a long career because it is not easy to perform year after year. It is very difficult to find the power to start training each year and handle the nerves of the competition and that is why I admire Jan Zelezny, who was a three-time World and Olympic champion.

"Jan came to my school for a talk when I was in Sixth Grade, when I was maybe 12 years old. I remember I gave him a book to sign. I was very shy and I didn’t say anything, but he was nice to everybody. He wished me good luck and said that I should persist with athletics.

"I met Jan Zelezny again at the 2002 European Championships in Munich when I was a heptathlete and he encouraged me to start the javelin. At that time I was injured and a little bit fat, I couldn’t run well because I had a problem with my shin but he said he will help me at a training camp and teach me the basics of javelin.

"My favourite memory of Jan was when he made the 2005 World Athletics Final in Monaco. He had suffered a difficult season and for him to make the final was a real achievement. We met afterwards in the Irish bar in Monaco the same day as the gala that year. We talk very often because he is a coach at my club now. I see him many times but I only go for him for technical help, I am not coached by him."