First Czech Winter Olympics champion Jiří Raška dies at age 70

January 21, 2012



, one of former 's most popular athletes in the 1960s and 1970s, died in at age 70. He won the normal hill  competition.

Raška was a national hero after his win and after he added another, silver medal in the large hill competition in Grenoble. Writer helped popularizing him with his book The Tale of Raška. Raška also won the and was a bronze medalist in 1972 ski flying world championships.

, said fellow Olympic champion. Jura is the regional form of Raška's given name Jiří.

After ending his career in 1976, Raška worked as a coach. He opposed the communist regime, signing the appeal. In 2011 Czech Republic President awarded him the. He was named Czech Skier of the Century in 2003.

The chairman  named Raška a legend. , Jirásek said. .