Jan Zelezny is often called the greatest javelin thrower of all time. He has been an Olympic champion three times, a world champion three times, set five world records and won the SPAR European Cup twice. He remembers his highs and lows in the European Cup, and explains why the event is so important for younger athletes.

Zelezny on the European Cup…

“It is an excellent concept. The idea of nations competing in this way brings a different dimension to athletics.

“I would actually say that the Cup is a great competition for younger athletes, coming where it does in the season.

“Young athletes might not have won so many World Championship or Olympic medals, or even been selected for such events, without it. The Cup can provide the experience of what it is like to be in a top level competition, and that is a very meaningful experience for less experienced athletes.”

Zelezny on his best memories…

“I competed in the SPAR European Cup four times. My debut was in 1987 for what was then Czechoslovakia, and in front of a home crowd in Prague. What a way to start!

“I finished third, which at the time was a little disappointing because I had set a world record the month before, but I was still a young man getting used to this type of competition. Upon reflection, it was good to be a little unhappy, it demonstrated my competitive spirit. I had just turned 21 and was beaten by two great throwers, Russia’s Viktor Yevsyukov and Germany’s Klaus Tafelmeier, and so was not such a bad result.

“Two years later I came second behind my old friend and rival Steve Backley (from Great Britain) and then I won in 1991 and 1993. The last occasion was memorable because it came not long after I had thrown another world record and in Rome I threw 89.84m, which was a Cup record.