Birthdate: May 3, 1942
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Prague, Czechia
Died: August 30, 2016
Věra Čáslavská was a highly accomplished Czechoslovak gymnast and sports official. She won an impressive total of 22 international titles in gymnastics between 1959 and 1968, making her the most decorated Czech gymnast in history. Čáslavská made history by winning the all-around gold medal at two consecutive Olympics and being the first gymnast to achieve a perfect 10 at a major competition post-1952. She also holds the record for the most individual gold medals among all female athletes in Olympic history. In addition to her athletic achievements, she was known for her support of the Czechoslovak democratization movement and opposition to the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. This led to her being marginalized by the regime and forced into retirement. However, her situation improved in the 1980s with the assistance of the International Olympic Committee. After the Velvet Revolution, she held several prestigious positions, including serving as president of the Czech Olympic Committee.
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