VERA CASLAVSKA - Czechoslovakia
VERA CASLAVSKA has earned more individual Olympic gold medals than anyone in history. Her total of seven surpasses that of even Larissa Latynina, who holds the record for the greatest total number of Olympic medals. Ms. Caslavska won the hearts and admiration of her countrymen during the 1968 Olympics. Soviet tanks had invaded Caslavska's homeland just a few months before the Games. When Soviet gymnast Larisa Petrik's score was adjusted just before the awards presentation, a tie for the gold medal between Petrik and Caslavska was declared. During the playing of the Soviet national anthem, Caslavska held her head down to express her displeasure in the political judging and her disdain of the invaders. She returned home to find her competitive career finished, but she had won the hearts of her people.
1960 OLYMPIC GAMES
Silver Medalist:
- Team
1961 European Championships
Bronze Medalist:
- All-Around
- Floor Exercise
1962 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gold Medalist & World Champion:
- Floor Exercise
Silver Medalist:
- All-Around
Bronze Medalist:
- Floor Exercise
1964 OLYMPIC GAMES
Gold Medalist & Olympic Champion:
- All-Around
- Beam
- Vaulting
Silver Medalist:
- Team
1965 European Championships
Gold Medalist & European Champion:
- All-Around
- Vaulting
- Uneven Bars
- Beam
- Floor Exercise
1966 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gold Medalist & World Champion:
- All-Around
- Vaulting
- Team
Silver Medalist:
- Beam
- Floor
1967 European Championships
Gold Medalist & European Champion:
- All-Around
- Vaulting
- Uneven Bars
- Beam
- Floor Exercise
1968 OLYMPIC GAMES
Gold Medalist & Olympic Champion:
- All-Around
- Vault
- Uneven Bars
- Floor
Silver Medalist:
- Team
- Beam
1998 Inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
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