by Alfonz Juck
Josef Odlozil, photo taken from Josef Odlozil Memorial website
Josef Odlozil was the 1964 Olympic silver medalist in the 1,500m, behind the great Peter Snell. He was the world record holder at 2000m, 5:01.2 in 1965. In 1966, Josef Odlozil set a NR of the 1,500m in 3:37.6. In 1967, Josef took the silver medal at 1,500m in the European Athletics Indoor Champs. In 1994, a year after his untimely death, the Josef Odlozil Memorial began. On June 8, 2020, the Josef Odlozil Memorial will be held, in these rarefied times. It can be watch on ESPN as well!
Continental Tour meet in Praha
PRAHA (CZE): World Athletics Continental Tour after Oceanian start will continue after pandemic break on Monday June 8 with 27th Josef Odlozil Memorial in Praha (Bronze Category). The organisers are trying to do their best within the possibilities to organise an sporting event in the country. Czech Television will produce a live broadcast. Main stars will be Czech athletes. Jakub Vadlejch and Nikola Ogrodnikova in javelin throw (women competition will be held as Dana Zatopkova Memorial). Also national record holders Petr Svoboda in the 110 m hurdles and Radek Juska in the long jump. Women´s 800 m will not only see middle distance runners Kristiina Maki and Diana Mezulianikova, but also 400 m specialist Lada Vondrova and Slovak Iveta Putalova. Austrian Andreas Vojta will be the 1500 m favorite. In men´s 100 m and 200 m Slovak European Indoor champion Jan Volko will clash with top Czechs like Pavel Maslak, Jan Veleba, Dominik Zalesky and in-shape Jan Jirka.
