Jarmila Kratochvílová

Audio|Cs-Jarmila_Kratochvilova.ogg|Jarmila Kratochvílová (pronounced|ˈjarmɪla ˈkratoxviːlovaː) (born 26 January 1951 in Golčův Jeníkov) is a former late-developing Czech 400 m runner whose career was dogged by injury and illness. Always in the shadow of Marita Koch she hit peak form in 1983 aged 32. Entering a one-off 800 m in Munich reportedly as a training exercise, she broke the world record with 1:53.28. This convinced her to attempt an unlikely double in the inaugural World Championships 10 days later. Despite a seemingly impossible schedule, she won the 800 m easily and set a world record 47.99 to win the 400 m. Koch, having missed training through injury ran (and won) the 200 m. Though Koch beat her 400 m time in 1985, her 800 m record remains as one of the longest standing in Track and Field.

References

* [http://www.databaseolympics.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=KRATOJAR01 profile]