Sport in Latvia - Athletics

Athletics

Latvian athletes have achieved medals in Olympics and European/World championships. Most recently Ainars Kovals with a silver medal in the men's Javelin throw at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Staņislavs Olijars won silver medal in 2002, and gold medal in 2006 at European Championships in the 110 m hurdles. Jeļena Prokopčuka has won New York City marathon in 2005 and 2006.

In the Soviet, period there were many great Latvian javelin throwers. Javelin thrower Inese Jaunzeme became first Latvian who won Olympic Games she did it in 1956 Olympics. In 1960 Summer Olympics gold medal won another javelin thrower Elvīra Ozoliņa. Latvian javelin thrower Jānis Lūsis won 1968 Summer Olympics also he is 4 time European champion. Lūsis set two world records in javelin throw, 91.68 m in 1968 and of 93.80 m in 1972. In 1987, IAAF nominated him as the all-time greatest javelin thrower in the world. Another javelin thrower won gold medal in 1980 Olympics it was Dainis Kūla.