Seven Olympic gold medals — the Czech gymnast who bowed her head during the Soviet anthem in protest.
Věra Čáslavská was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1942. She won seven Olympic gold medals across Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968 — the most by any female gymnast at that time. At the 1968 Mexico City Games — just weeks after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia — she bowed her head and looked away during the Soviet national anthem at medal ceremonies, in protest against the invasion. This act of individual political resistance generated enormous international attention. She married her fellow Czech athlete Josef Odložil at the Games. She was blacklisted by the communist regime until 1989.
Best Known For
Olympic Gold 7x (1964,1968)
Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 7x (1964,1968)
- World Champion 4x
Career Journey
Timeline
1942
👶 Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia
1968
🏁 Retired from professional sport
🏆 Olympic Gold 7x (1964,1968)
🏆 World Champion 4x