Frequent Flier Jan — Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney!

SYDNEY: Jan Zelezny, of the Czech Republic, winner of the Olympic javelin titles in 1992 and 1996, on Saturday established a piece of Games history when he took the gold medal for a third time. Zelezny, the 34-year-old former Czech Army colonel, took the lead from the first round, throwing 89.41 metres. But when his great rival, Britain’s Steve Backley, broke the eight-year-old Olympic record with 89.85 in the second round, Zelezny came back in the following round to seize the title that he has made his own with a gold medal-winning effort of 90.17 metres. Zelezny’s entire career has been marked by comebacks, and often from far greater adversity. A career-threatening spinal injury in 1989 has been followed by a series of operations on his throwing shoulder, most recently two years ago.

Yet still Zelezny – whose name means “Man of Iron†– has come back for more, the world record-holder showing himself to be the greatest javelin thrower of all time – he also won silver in Seoul in 1988 before embarking on his gold spree. “He has proved to be a true champion,†Backley, the three-time European champion whose own Olympic medal collection now comprises two silvers (1996 and 2000) and a bronze (1992). “My shoulder’s better than ever now,†Zelezny said, “so I ought to thank my doctors.†Zelezny said he will return home to Prague hailed as a hero. Despite the history of the occasion, Zelezny said he never felt under pressure to win.