Athens, Olympic Stadium, 28 August 2004, Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Men's athletics: Jan ZELEZNY of Czech Republic competes in the javelin final. Credit: Getty Images/Andy LyonsBorn: 16 June 1966
Birthplace: Mlada Boleslav (Czech Republic)
Nationality: Czech Republic
Sport: Athletics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Seoul 1988
Barcelona 1992
Atlanta 1996
Sydney 2000
Athens 2004
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 3
Silver: 1
Other results:
World Championships
Gold: 3 (93, 95, 01)
Bronze: 2 (87, 99)
The Only Three-Time Javelin Winner
Jan Zelezny entered the 1988 Olympics as the world record holder in the javelin throw. He set an Olympic record in the qualifying round and led the final until the last thrower of the last round, Tapio Korjus of Finland, beat him by 16 centimetres. Between Olympics, Zelezny did not do well at major competitions, failing to qualify for the final in either the 1990 European Championships or the 1991 world championships. However, at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Zelezny was in fine form. He won the gold medal with his first throw of the final, breaking his own Olympic record by 3.76m. At 77kg, Zelezny was the lightest of the javelin competitors at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In the final, Steve Backley of Great Britain took the early lead, but Zelezny surpassed him in the second round and that throw held up for the gold medal. In Sydney in 2000, Zelezny was again the lightest competitor, again he edged Steve Backley and again he set an Olympic record. Zelezny is the only javelin thrower in Olympic history to win three gold medals and four total medals. At the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, he finished in 9th place.
