Jarmila Kratochvílová

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Jarmila Kratochvílová (born 26 January 1951) was a late-developing Czech 400m 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 800m in Munich reportedly as a training exercise, she broke the word 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 800m easily and set a world record 47.99 to win the 400m. Koch, having missed training through injury ran (and won) the 200m. Though Koch beat her 400m time in 1985, her 800m record remains as one of the longest standing in Track and Field.

Her unfeminine appearance has led to her performances being somewhat underappreciated. Drug rumours persist, though in her case no evidence has ever come to light. Conversely the world record holder in a strength event might be expected to be stronger than average.

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