Zdeněk Pecka was inspired to become a rower after watching television coverage of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Pecka quickly went on to represent Czechoslovakia as a member of the quadruple sculls team. At the World Rowing Championships he won bronze in 1974, followed by silver in 1975 and 1977. His performances earned him a place at the 1976 Montréal Olympics where the Czechoslovak crew won the bronze medal. In 1979 Pecka changed to the double sculls and formed a strong partnership with compatriot Václav Vochoska. The pair won silver at the 1979 World Championships and a bronze at the 1980 Moskva Olympics. Their final success was at the 1982 World Championships where they won another bronze. With Czechoslovakia being part of the boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Pecka then retired from the sport. He later worked as a coach and the director of the Račice Sports Centre. Pecka’s wife, Květa Jeriová, won multiple medals at the Olympics in cross-country skiing.
Czechoslovakia
Czechia