Emil Zátopek (pronounce [ˈɛmɪl ˈzaːtopɛk] (help·info)) (September 19, 1922 – November 22, 2000) was a Czech athlete probably best known for his amazing feat of winning three gold medals in athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5 km and 10 km runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life.