Věra 68 (2012)

Vera Cáslavská was a dominant force in sports, winning seven gold and four silver medals and becoming the fourth most decorated female Olympian of all time. Following her triumphs at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, she achieved widespread popularity, second only to Jacqueline Kennedy. That same year, she signed the 2000 Words Manifesto, a stance she never changed. Despite her athletic success, Cáslavská navigated a difficult life marked by political complexities, marital struggles, and family loss. Her story offers a window into Czech society under both communist and democratic rule, highlighting her involvement in civic life. Looking back, she considers her sporting achievements a brief period of fame compared to the hardships she endured. Now 68, decades after her athletic career, she remains respected in both the Czech Republic and Japan. Her life represents a distinctive period in Czech history.