František Janda-Suk

Representing Bohemia and Czechoslovakia František Janda-Suk was an early pioneer in the discus, becoming the first modern Olympian to make the throw while rotating his body. Competing for Bohemia at the 1900 Paris Olympics Janda-Suk won the silver medal in the event after taking inspiration for his new throwing technique from the statue of Discobolus by the Athenian sculptor Myron. The landing area for the discus at the Paris Games was unusually narrow, consisting of a lane through two rows of trees. For finishing in second place Janda-Suk was awarded with a wooden desk calendar, with the International Olympic Committee retrospectively assigning medals.

A year after the Paris Olympics Janda-Suk set an unofficial world record in the discus with a throw of 39.42 metres. He then took a short break from athletics after he completed his law studies and started a job at the police headquarters in Praha. Janda-Suk returned to athletics to compete at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics in the shot put and discus where he finished 15th and 17th, respectively.

After World War I Janda-Suk represented Czechoslovakia at the 1924 Paris Olympics, finishing in 29th place in the discus. He was also the flag bearer for his nation at the Opening Ceremony. After his retirement from athletics he worked in a passport office in addition to spending time training young sportspeople.

Personal Bests: SP – 12.15 (1911); DT – 42.45 (1909).