The best Czechoslovak and Czech middle-distance and long-distance runners and their achievements from the end of the Second World War to the present. AUTOR:

The aim of the thesis is to map the biggest achievements of Czech middle-distance and long- distance runners in the period from the end of the Second World War to the present days. Through the study of at that time current materials, interviews with former and current athletes the most interesting facts from their athletic training will be pointed out. The thesis will also further elaborate the origin and the development of athletics in the Czech Republic. Athletics belongs to one of the basic sports. Unfortunately, nowadays it is losing its popularity compared to some other sports. The thesis will point out that athletics used to have and still has great things to offer. Last but not least, I would like to map the history of middle and long distances and also focus on the development of training methods on these distances. KEYWORDS: Running, middle-distance running, long-distance running, history, runners, athletic