Bedřiška Kulhavá

In the 1950s Bedřiška Kulhavá was the best track and field athlete in the 800 metres in Czechoslovakia. Kulhavá also had success in the 400 metres, relay races, and cross country events, winning more than two-dozen national titles during her career. She set eight records in the 400 metres, and twelve in the 800 metres, with her best time in the latter of 2:08.0 standing as a national record from 1960 until 2022. Despite her success in Czechoslovakia she did not replicate it at an international level, with her best result of eighth in the 800 metres coming at the 1954 European Championships. Kulhavá ran in her favourite event at the 1960 Roma Olympics but was eliminated in the heats. Her daughter Jana competed in the biathlon at two Winter Olympics in the 1990s.

Personal Best: 800 – 2:08.0 (1960).