Rudolf Tomášek

During the 1960s Rudolf Tomášek was the best pole vaulter in Czechoslovakia, winning multiple national titles and setting several national records. Tomášek began his sporting career with RH Praha in 1955, winning bronze at the national championships in 1958, followed with silver one year later. In 1961 he won his first of seven consecutive national titles. A decade later Tomášek won his eighth Czechoslovak title in addition to becoming the national indoor champion.

In 1960 Tomášek made his first appearance at the Olympics, finishing eighth at the Roma Games with a best clearance of 4.50 metres in the final. Two years later he won silver at the European Championships, finishing behind Pentti Nikula of Finland. In 1964 he returned to the Olympics where he placed sixth at the Tokyo Games with a best effort of 4.90 metres. That same year he became the first pole vaulter from Czechoslovakia to clear five metres, doing so at a meet in Oslo. Tomášek won another silver at a major championship, finishing second at the inaugural edition of the 1966 European Athletics Indoor Championships.

Personal Best: PV – 5.03i (1966).