Emil Zátopek quotes

It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys. (Emil Zátopek)
I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time.
Emil Zátopek
Essentially, we distinguish ourselves from the rest. If you want to win something, run the 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.
Emil Zátopek
If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.
Emil Zátopek
An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.
Emil Zátopek
You can't climb up to the second floor without a ladder. When you set your aim too high and don't fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it.
Emil Zátopek
It is not gymnastics or ice skating, you know.
Emil Zátopek
The athlete of today is not an athlete alone. He's the center of a team - doctors, scientists, coaches, agents and so on.
Emil Zátopek
Are you running out of breath? Go faster! (Life credo)
Emil Zátopek
There is a great advantage in training under unfavorable conditions. It is better to train under bad conditions, for the difference is then a tremendous relief in a race.
Emil Zátopek
Great is the victory, but the friendship of all is greater. (Emil Zátopek)
Why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn to run fast.
Emil Zátopek
What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.
Emil Zátopek
To boast of a performance which I cannot beat is merely stupid vanity. And if I can beat it that means there is nothing special about it. What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.
Emil Zátopek
If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's besides the point. It's simply that I just have to.
Emil Zátopek
Men, today we die a little.
Emil Zátopek
One day the factory sports coach, who was very strict, pointed at four boys, including me, and ordered us to run in a race. I protested that I was weak and not fit to run, but the coach sent me for a physical examination and the doctor said that I was perfectly well. So I had to run, and when I got started I felt I wanted to win. But I only came in second. That was the way it started.
Emil Zátopek
My running was very simple; it was out of myself.
Emil Zátopek
A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.
Emil Zátopek