Czech RepublicBiography
Javelin world record holder, two-time Olympic champion. Considered greatest female javelin thrower in history by many.
Started competing in athletics in heptathlon as finished fourth in this discipline at the World Juniors 2000 (missed a medal by 18 points). Then went to United States for study and joined University of Minnesota.
Spotakova took first international title in Izmir 2005 Universiade, then surpassed 66 metres mark in European Champs final in Gothenburg. She secured gold medal in her first World Championships appearance in Osaka by throwing 67.07 NR.
In Beijing 2008, she was clear favourite to win title. The Czech star gripped early lead with 69.22 after first attempt, before closed the competition by massive throw of 71.42 - new European record. Just one month after her Olympic glory, Spotakova broke world record in the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, producing 72.28 metres on her far-away win over German rivals.
Spotakova retained her Olympic title in London and grabbed a bronze in Rio 2016 which makes her only female javelin thrower ever who has three Olympic medals. Similarly, she also first athlete to crowned three World titles - last one came in age 36 in London 2017.
After took a second maternity break in 2018, she returned once successfully to the sport by a World final in Doha. She finished ninth-place in her sixth World Champs final. In Tokyo, Spotakova contested her fifth Olympics but missed to make a final there after 60.52 effort in qualifying round.
She has concluded her much-celebrated career in Munich, the place she contested 20 years ago as well, and clinched a bronze medal after very last throw which stuck in 60.68 metres.
Barbora Spotakova officially retired from sport in a special function which organised by Czech Athletics Federation on September 9, 2022 in Prague.
YEAR-BY-YEAR
2000: 54.15m - Santiago, Chile
2001: 51.97m - Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Rep.
2002: 56.76m - Ostrava, Czech Rep.
2003: 56.65m - Bydgoszcz, Poland
2004: 60.95m - Jerusalem, Israel
2005: 65.75m - Usti nad Labem, Czech Rep.
2006: 66.21m - Stuttgart, Germany
2007: 67.12m - Stuttgart, Germany
2008: 72.28m WR - Stuttgart, Germany
2009: 68.23m - Prague, Czech Rep.
2010: 68.66m - Rome, Italy
2011: 71.58m - Daegu, Korea
2012: 69.55m - London, UK
2013: 62.33m - Domazlice, Czech Rep. (First maternity break)
2014: 67.99m - Brussels, Belgium
2015: 65.66m - Stockholm, Sweden
2016: 66.87m - Tabor, Czech Rep.
2017: 68.26m - London, UK
2018: Not contested. (Second maternity break)
2019: 63.85m - Kolin, Czech Rep.
2020: 65.19m - Ostrava, Czech Rep.
2021: 63.08m - Monaco
2022: 62.29m - Chorzow, Poland
TRIVIA
- Coached by Rudolf Cerny most of the career, briefly worked with Jan Zelezny (2011-14)
- Partner, Lukas Novotny, a firefighter. Has two sons, Janek and Danek.
- Her parents, Ludmila and Frantisek were both ex-athletes, contest some veteran meets still.
- Won 15 titles in Czech Nationals.
- In 2012, awarded to Medal of Merit of Czech Republic.
- Frame: 1.82m / 80 kg
- Selected best female sportsperson of Czech Republic after both of her Olympic titles, 2008 and 2012.
- Graduated from Czech Agriculture University in Prague while majoring Sustainable Development.