Czech Gymnastics Icon Věra Čáslavská - A National Hero | Mexico 1968 Olympics

[@dmmchugh3714]

Vera Caslavska was not only a champion, she was a HERO . I was only elementary school age during these Olympics and it took my some years to understand the implications of her protest.
It is possible to make your voice heard without violence or verbal offense.
Vera Caslavska protested with dignity and class.
She has always been one of my idols.

[@catherinewhitaker3425]

I wasn't alive then, I don't go gymnastics, and I'm from the U.S.A, but she's still one of my favorite gymnasts. Watching her makes me happy, her grace is amazing. Rest In Peace❤

[@MissFunnyBunneh]

one of my favorite videos to watch.. and I really agree, the grace and maturity in this video makes gymnastics amazing..

[@user-db1ne9dd8g]

It's mine too now

[@reikostewart7583]

Me, too. I really enjoyed to watch this video. There is not much the grace and maturity now. I’ve watched her on TV at Tokyo Olympic 1964.

[@withlovefromrussia]

A strong woman and a role model of resistance.
Thank you, Vera!

[@lukasoulehla8016]

Rozplakalo mě to opravdu jsem hrdý obrovská legenda a Bojovnice nádhera.

[@HamsterQueen9]

Such a beautiful mature woman, not a child like these days...I love her elegance and style, not a robot but a human being.

[@justapersonwithlungs]

I like how she had a smile on her face as she was doing the routine.

[@user-db1ne9dd8g]

Me too

[@mannyg9059]

These were the real thing; WOMEN gymnastics not children gymnastics. I loved how every team strutted in, swinging their arms and marching in. It was a classy thing to watch, never vulgar.

[@adolforenteria8326]

The Queen and favorite of the olympic games of México 1968 , in México at that time we called the México's girlfriend , so fine , so artistic , so briliant, so unique , we fall in love with Vera , now i see your skills and i'am not tired to see again and again vera's interpretation of the mexican song , and she took everybodys heart , VIVA VERA , BRAVO , MEXICO IS CRYING VERA , MEXICO DOESN'T FORGET YOU NEVER ,YOU ARE IN OUR HEART .........

[@CarolanIvey]

A smile on her face the whole time. You hardly see that anymore!

[@misoginainternalizadaopres7131]

Most of gymnast then enjoyed what they were doing... now they are abused phisically, mentally and with a lot of pressure
Just look at the chineses when they won/win, but unlike in the USA, they can't speak
The only actual person in those censure-countries who enjoys what she does is Aliya Mustafina, 24 year, mom last year and still competes in elite (I love her!)

[@misoginainternalizadaopres7131]

just realised this comment is 5 years old

[@JellyBeanInTheNight]

Such gracious form and that smile! Not just a smile for presentation but her true joy in performing.

[@Maria-ij8cg]

​@misoginainternalizadaopres7131 for sure... especially Comaneci and Mukhina that had a big smile on their faces all their routines were full of joy...

[@Mayoo_13]

I am sooooo proud to be from Czech republic/ jsem hrdá na to že jsem z České republiky❤❤❤

[@outloudkat]

The quality of this footage is remarkable!

[@ZhanaZee]

Stumbled on this by accident. This is an amazing feat not because of her athletic ability but because of the pressures on top of training in her personal life. To not have personal freedom and still survive..is A true test of will. The other part of her story had to be an immense struggle.

[@valentynainesutikalova9180]

Finally, i've been waiting fort this for a long time. She really was an icon and was very important for Czechoslovakians back in the day.

[@colleenross8752]

Vera, Emil Zatopek, and Dominik Hasek are like the trinity of Czech sports

[@toyena8290]

@@colleenross8752 ​ @Colleen Ross přidat Jágra, Soukalovou a Lededkou

[@oskarfabian5200]

@@toyena8290 Navara

[@MegaMesozoic]

I've seen her do moves that nobody else has done since, not especially 'difficult' but requiring absolute precision.

[@EmpressMermaid]

Jane Aston you are right, her moves were very refined, clean and graceful. The way she had of landing in a split from a tumbling run was absolutely divine. I doubt many girls today could carry that off the way she did (today's power flips lead to sloppy landings). She advanced the sport of gymnastics a great deal, also. Her power and level of difficulty were very advanced for her time, which raised the bar for those who followed. Almost as important was the attention and popularity she brought to the sport at a time when women weren't supposed to be athletic. Truly the mother of the "modern" gymnast.

[@sabineb.5616]

She was absolutely amazing, and even by today's lofty standards it's a pleasure to watch her! There is her absolute precision coupled with huge amounts of pure and mature grace. Unfortunately women's gymnastics took a wrong turn many decades ago! Someone with Caslavska's completely appropriate body of a young and healthy woman could not compete with today's dwarfs.

[@toyena8290]

@@EmpressMermaid perfect coment, viva from CZE

[@arnoldsimon7219]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful video of our beautiful Vera. She is so beautiful and mesmerizing. It's like watching a beautiful Miss Universe contestant competing in the final round of the swimsuit competition combined with the talent portion of the competition!!! May you R.I.P. beautiful and magnificent Vera!!! We all love you!!!

[@mcdechambly9127]

Rest in peace beautiful Vera, queen of 1968 Olympic Games. Mexico felt in love with your beauty and grace and you'll always be remembered

[@LelandTilden]

Věra Čáslavská is an *icon* 🔥

[@PortugalZeroworldcup]

🇨🇿

[@DrSharonFair]

There are no doubles/triples like there are today, but more beautiful than the ones today. Grace throughout. No stops. The "lower point" moves were natural and flowing. Absolutely seamless.

[@adolforenteria8326]

We won't forget you Vera , the Queen of gymnastics in México 1968 , you printed our hearts for Ever , so elegant , so Unique , vera we love you , our eternal love to you , God bless you vera , we can see you here the time we see a gymnastics competition or exhibition , viva Vera viva Checoslovaquia and viva México

[@toyena8290]

greatings from Czech ))

[@adanvelazquez7536]

Viva México 1968 the Best olimpic games because vera was there viva checoslovaquia

[@MaHaClDu]

Věra Čáslavská a remarkable gymnast, one of the greatest, competed in three Olympics: Roma 60, Tokyo 64 and Mexico 68 she was winning lots of medals; she was the precursor to give more breadth to the routines in uneven bars and floor, great vaulter; Their contributions Issue foreshadowed the golden age of gymnastics in the seventies When This discipline Reached the Top With Tourischeva, Korbut and Comaneci.
Čáslavská was also a remarkable political activist against the dictatorship of the Soviet Union and in their own country Czechoslovakia. May she rest in peace

[@toyena8290]

maybe she would have started in Munich 72, but after 1968 and their protest, the communists turned her around, and she could slowly only add the maximum to the boiler

[@ZidaneKuja]

R.I.P. Věra Čáslavská. You will never be forgotten. Gymnastics will not be the same now.

[@Susanna-ih4wx]

She so graceful and pretty. I wish gymnastics was still like this today.

[@mojabbar388]

She is a legend

[@ludan68]

One of the best female gymnast from the past and from today...God bless you Vera !!!

[@marciamathieu4441]

this is not gymnastic this is acrobatics

[@BruteStrength99]

​@@marciamathieu4441 it was gymnastics for that time. Remember this was 1968

[@tanyadudnik4082]

Какие стройные и женственные гимнастки. Очень пропорционально сложены. Сейчас такие фигуры в спортивной гимнастике не встречаются.

[@bigbeatle1]

Věra Čáslavská forever...neboli navždy...ona je naší hrdinkou...she is our HERO...Dear Věra, Rest In Peace...Drahá Věro, odpočivej v pokoji...we love you...máme Tě rádi... for you did...pro to, co jsi vykonala pro tenhle národ...

[@jack2001cz]

Bůh opatruj Vaši duši, paní Čáslavská... :(

[@bara.5777]

Joe R mam takovej pocit že ti nikdo kdo není z Čech nerozumí

[@terezw2519]

Joe R jono ❤

[@adolforenteria8326]

Please please spanish or English please thank You , we love vera , Kisses from México , the olimpic girlfriend of mexico, tears in my face the time I see this new to me video, VIVA VERA , VIVA MEXICO WE LOVE YOU FOR EVER RIP

[@bischnou]

Gorgeous. She’s captivating. Her life story is incredible.

[@dmmchugh3714]

A magnificent athlete and brave patriot ! She had to train in hiding for while . Her Olympic protest caused her grief for a long time at home from what I understand. I believe she died a few years back. All respect and RIP .

[@saverjjx9637]

hi

[@bonnielucas153]

I like these older videos, showing how excellent many have been over the decades

[@jirkapacal5349]

Legendary gymnast Vera Čáslavská died Tuesday night at age 74. Čáslavská a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
2016 8.31.

[@emilyhayek1132]

I did not know she had passed. Rest in peace beautiful Vera, she was the most beautiful, graceful elegant lady who stood on the gold medal stand in the Olympics. Wish it still could be mature graceful elegant ladies who compete instead of little girl's who do such difficult unbelievable tricks they get hurt so often

[@victoriab.6601]

jirka obluda RIP. But thankfully we still have her beautiful performances to watch

[@dorvilltean3649]

@QPHashSS77 What's with the racism? And what nationality are you? I wouldn't be at all surprised if your ancestors are European.

[@edwardoneil3962]

I never knew thank you ❤

[@edwardoneil3962]

God bless you darling RIP ❤

[@Allhoney33]

I love her elegant womanly body vs the kid bodies and overly muscular bodies you see today in gymnastics. Such an amazing gymnast.

[@user-db1ne9dd8g]

Yes 💯

[@mrtea2931]

And the kid and overly muscular bodies of today love the advanced skills their bodies are capable of and the freedom in that enough to not care what you want. ;)

[@user-gz8fc8zp1y]

あの頃はベラチャスラフスカさんクチンスカヤさんウォロニナさん日本選手では羽生和永さん松久ミユキさん三栗多仁子さん橋口佳代子さん香取光子さん小田千恵子さん渋谷多喜さん等　皆様とても美人で演技も華麗優雅で非常に美しかったですね!あの頃がとても素晴らしかったし懐かしいです!

[@MrHoganek]

Odpočívejte v pokoji, legendo...

[@arielnina]

She and all divas from gymnastics like latinina,korbut,comaneci,shoshonova,silivas,korkina,podkopayeva,amanar,gutsu,boguinskaia,milosovich,onodi,and so many other great gymnastics made this sport become one of the most gracefull show to watch and for us to wait the next queen and hope that the beautiful of this sport come back with the grace that made to ve so beautiful ;)

[@toyena8290]

dont forgot Elena Muchina!

[@klenoty80s72]

Hrdý Čech 😘❤

[@terezw2519]

Věra Čáslavská is good she is from The Czech Republic 👍

[@Brissieskater1]

I love the Black & White original footage.

[@tinarider9945]

Real woman gymnast...she is magic..

[@zigzaggyp746]

Gymnastics used to have so much grace and style!

[@DerafsheKavian]

Věra was one athlete that did not need media hype to mesmerize the world.

[@zlatva1]

Bez žádných pomůcek,ikona naše nejúžasnější..❤❤❤

[@Sopkovaaa_l]

Nejlepší gymnastka na světě 😉

[@spintaneousrazzle]

Her story should be an international box office movie tbh

[@kelleyjogirl]

I just love how she smiles throughout her UB routine!

[@user-db1ne9dd8g]

You know it's really sad to me is that they don't ever talk about the past Olympians that were in the Olympics from like the '20s to 30s and the 40s and 50s and 60s and etc because I can't stop watching Vera and I never heard about her before till 2 days ago when I was watching the Olympics..😢🌏

[@qweetie]

so interesting to see how gymnastics has evolved...but holy crap, she's on the bars WITHOUT hand guards? That right there makes her tougher than anybody alive.

[@tackssherbo7104]

Maybe, but look well at her routine. The bars are right next to each other requiring little inertia or speed flinging full body weight to get from one to the other. She can just reach over to grab it. She does only two small "turns" around the bar, not multiple turns from extended handstand positions as required today. She is not trying to catch her body weight falling, almost doubled by gravity, from 3 or 4 feet above the top bar, with her wrists and 8 weight-bearing fingers in something like a Tkachev, even though the Tkachev didn't exist then. A good coating of chalk for her kind of routine to keep her hands dry would be enough to prevent any tearing.

[@fernlin-healy2174]

There have been gymnasts in the modern era to not use grips. Gutsu and Khorkina to name two. Among current gymnasts, Lieke Wevers goes bare handed. That's serious toughness.

[@victoriab.6601]

I dont understand much about the sport, but her movements are so clean and precise. It s beautiful to watch

[@Geiger1983]

Beyond many other differences to current times not only regarding gymnasts but other sports athletes were in average much older. Here Vera was 26 and today gymnasts already are retired when they are 26

[@adamgniewko9347]

Śliczna. Pozdrowienia z Polski

[@valyusha98]

Legendary. A true angel

[@peacepeace9902]

R.I.P. Věra ❤️

[@asdffeefff]

with that hair she looks like a barbie doll. just beautiful

[@grantkeeper]

R.I.P, děkuji Vám za vše

[@Вова_Анна]

Я спортивная гимнастка в прошлом, очень приятно смотреть исторические видео в прекрасном качестве!❤

[@lucyrosevelt5274]

It was Womens gymnastics at the time. Now, nothing but little girls. Little girls with huge muscles. More strength, tricks then flexibility and grace. I prefer the lithe leaner ballerina style but ...the sport must go on.

[@pricla777]

I agree. Some of today's gymnasts look more like body builders, with huge shoulders and biceps.

[@extra_ice_girl]

Some of these women were married with kids.

[@tackssherbo7104]

lucy ... You can thank the technical committees (I think) for continually raising the difficulty factors for competition. You MUST have muscle mass to protect your bones from breaking or even shattering when you have to keep pounding your body weight at 1 1/2x or 2x gravity when landing from insane heights. What cannot sustain that kind of stress adequately are ligaments, spines, knees and ankles, and you see evidence of that all the time with countless injuries to them. Wispy little "ballerina style" twiglets who are 4 1/2' tall and weigh 80 lbs with fragile, diminutive bones and little muscle mass, simply cannot maintain that kind of stamina for very long under current difficulty levels.

[@quokpaka8365]

I just hate that people always complain about the gymnasts' age "nowadays". When Nadia went to the 1976 Olympics, she was 14! I've never seen anyone complaining about that...

[@tackssherbo7104]

Minami Suzuki Minami ... Forty years ago, most of the routines did not have the difficulty factors that gymnasts have to perform today. When Nadia was interviewed about the type of performances that are required to compete today, she said she did not think she could have done them. Fourteen year old girls forty years ago seldom had injuries from very risky routines, so no one would complain about their being too young.

[@MrPablomex]

Descansa en Paz, Vera, fue increíble verte en México 68

[@xyrisseabrasaldo5777]

she looks so happy doing it

[@sovurss]

In the 1950's and 1960's Soviet Union faced strong gymnasts from the East European countries. First, Hungarian Agnes Keleti in 1952 and 1956 olympics. Second, Czech Vera Caslavska in 1964 and 1968. Third, East German Karin Janz in 1972 and Rumanian Nadia Comaneci in 1976 and 1980 olympics. The 1960 Rome olympics marked the only time USSR didn't have strong opposition. Soviet Union won 15 medals in 16 possible. Latynina, Astakhova, Muratova, Lyukhina and Nikolayeva owned the podium.

[@toyena8290]

forgot Olga Korbut

[@janetmiller2980]

She was an amazing athlete and amazing human being for quietly protesting the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia. Rest In Peace.

[@simplyemalogical4774]

Our school is named zš and mš věry čáslavské

[@CBTCFT]

Very nice montage, thanks :-)

[@EngelsFriedrich]

Why is it that tears blur on a performance of Vera Čáslavská? She might reach the domain of God. I thank for up.

[@UzlikMazlik]

I am happy that I could have been trained as child at gymastics by Věra Čáslavská

[@michalblahovec1752]

legendary sportswoman and great spirit

[@winamIV]

She is awesome!!

[@silvieb2024]

One of my country's heroes ❤️ 🇨🇿

[@user-db1ne9dd8g]

She's beautiful ❤️🌏

[@secret37aa]

R.I.P.

Like a swan. Beautiful.

[@kras118]

I love her. Her grace, daring skills, her joy in competing, her hair..... Rest In Peace

[@davidpollard3298]

I had never heard of her before today. Now I have a new heroine. Her's is better than Olga Korbut's floor routine 4 years later.

[@Ralna]

Her name is Věra Čáslavská, please correct the headline.

[@Alchamei]

+Connie Tan It is now, but several weeks ago it was Vera Calavska.

[@hottiesonly1163]

Vera calabaza 😂😂

[@danahendrychova4580]

Byla perfektní. Ještě že se nedožila dnešního řádění Rusáků.

[@isabelmunive1833]

Mis tíos paternos hablaban mucho de ella.
Dios la tenga en su gloria.

[@karlstejn12345]

what a brave woman!!

[@johnbagyan3244]

A woman who love her country and people and not afraid to tangle with the puppet of Russia.

[@silenceintherealm2997]

She suffered a lot beacause of her opinions. She couldn't get a job and had to work as cleaning lady but later they prohibited her to do so as she was an Olympic champion and it didn't look well ...

[@johnbagyan3244]

Hats off to her fierce nationalism. Hope that the young generation of her country will always remember her and her struggle against the russian boot.

[@VanRijn1963]

Nadia Comaneci was a princess. Svetlana Boginskaia was a queen. Olga Korbut was an angel. Věra Čáslavská was an herald.

[@Ben_Bem_Burbwa]

a very inspirational video

[@lolah3838]

I love that she wore the elaborate hairstyle of the time even when competing.

[@milenaholubkova4431]

Naša krásna Veruska

[@renatazavadilova4046]

Uuuuuzadna, nasa Verka. Bohyne gymbastiky.

[@lamebubblesflysohigh]

R.I.P goddess

[@MyAvrilLavigneFan999]

great! great information!

[@MyAvrilLavigneFan999]

so graceful! so much pressure for her! amazing!

[@ilanplazola1715]

How elegant was the Mexican audience in suits and ties

[@kresimiramodric2522]

Todo perfecto, sólo que hubieran dejado el audio original en el ejercicio a manos libres, el jarabe tapatío.
Vera Caslavska, Larissa Petrik y Natasha Kuchinskaya, de lo mejor que ha dado la gimnasia olímpica, incluyendo a la reina indiscutible Olga Korbut, después de ellas, ninguna, ni que decir de las cirqueras actuales....

[@toyena8290]

nezapomeňte Nadia Comaneci z Rumonia! lepší než Olga Korbut a byla samozřejmě také vynikající gymnastka and Elena Muchina, she was perfect and we will be saw her, if she didt have a brutal accident berore OG Moscow!

[@evamenclova]

So beautiful video...Věra was a legend :(

[@pamelablackwell-nwonye3650]

And this was when gymnasts didn't wear the leather hand grips!

[@marcelmoulinas2271]

C' était la belle époque du sport.la classe quoi! Les spectateurs venaient endimanchés.les stades étaient pleins.pas d 'embrouilles.la belle vie.bravo.

[@hellenvenesa7903]

P the

[@IvanIvanov-up2uk]

Великолепно!!!

[@thechezik]

Czech in Colorado always will Member you

[@thegracedigger]

Rest in peace Vera

[@jean-pierrejipi5720]

Fantastic 🙂👍

[@mishka031]

vite ze Vera Caslavska 30.8 2016 zemrela 😭😿😞😞😰😥😦😧😖😔

[@sundaymorning1679]

just perfect! Rest In Peace Vera Caslavska

[@Fieldfare16]

Best icone of the czech sport!

[@alenamotlova9428]

Sbohem,paní Věro.

[@wasabisazzdafirst]

A true Hero a really true Hero.

[@maryjimenez5862]

Cuando las gimnastas eran mujeres y no niñas......

[@lilianaalarcon3057]

Maravillosa