1. Early Life and Background
Jiří Raška's early life was shaped by family circumstances and a natural inclination towards sports, leading him to discover his passion for ski jumping under influential guidance.
1.1. Childhood and Family
Jiří Raška was born on February 4, 1941, in Frenštát pod Radhoštěm, a town known for its winter sports. When he was nine years old, his father passed away from leukemia, leaving his mother to raise Raška and his three siblings on her own. Despite this challenge, Raška developed a keen interest in sports from a young age. While ski jumping would later define his career, he was also actively involved in other sports, including football, cycling, and handball. He often remarked, "We were saying that children in Frenštát are born with skis on their feet," reflecting the deep-rooted winter sports culture of his hometown.
1.2. Introduction to Ski Jumping
Raška's introduction to ski jumping came through his family, specifically his cousin and uncle, both active jumpers who took him under their wing. As a promising young athlete, he soon joined the renowned coaching group led by Zdeněk Remsa, famously known as the "Remsa Boys." His burgeoning career faced a potential setback due to mandatory military service on Šumava, but coach Remsa intervened, arranging for Raška's entry into the military sports club Dukla Liberec. This allowed him to continue his training and competitive pursuits. In 1964, Raška traveled to the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, as a substitute. There, he witnessed the performance of Josef Matouš, who had led the normal hill event after the first round, only to miss out on a medal in subsequent jumps. This experience would prove influential for Raška, as he found himself in a similar high-pressure situation four years later.
2. Ski Jumping Career
Jiří Raška's ski jumping career saw him rise from a promising talent to an Olympic champion and world record holder, establishing himself as one of the sport's dominant figures.
2.1. Early Career Development
Raška steadily built his reputation as a top-tier ski jumper through consistent performances. At the 1966 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, he secured a respectable fourth place in both the normal hill and large hill events, signaling his potential on the international stage. His capabilities were further underscored by a second-place finish in the prestigious Four Hills Tournament in the 1967-1968 season. These achievements positioned him as one of the favorites leading into the 1968 Winter Olympics.
2.2. 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics
The 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, marked the pinnacle of Raška's career. Despite being considered a favorite, Raška himself was modest about his expectations, hoping for a fifth-place finish and willing to accept a tenth. His first jump in the normal hill event became legendary. Czech writer Ota Pavel vividly described the moment: "It was a beautiful flight in the infinite silence, that took a short human age. Painter and editor Ota Mašek nearly fainted, photographer Jarda Skála stopped photographing. Coach Remsa was washing his face with snow and squeaking Norwegian Bjørn Wirkola stopped squeaking." Raška's jump of 259 ft (79 m) was shorter than that of Austrian Baldur Preiml by 3.3 ft (1 m), but his superior style points gave him the lead after the first round. In the second jump, he reached 238 ft (72.5 m), a shorter distance, but it was enough to secure the victory. With this triumph, Jiří Raška became the first Czechoslovak athlete to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, a historic moment that resonated deeply across the nation. He further cemented his legacy by adding a silver medal in the large hill event, only being surpassed by Vladimir Belousov of the Soviet Union. This season, he achieved a total of six victories.
2.3. World Records and Subsequent Achievements
Raška continued his impressive form after the Olympics, setting new benchmarks in the sport. On March 22, 1969, he set two world records at the inauguration of the Velikanka bratov Gorišek flying hill in Planica, Yugoslavia. He first tied the record at 512 ft (156 m), and then quickly surpassed it with a jump of 538 ft (164 m). However, this record lasted only one day, as Manfred Wolf of East Germany broke it with a jump of 541 ft (165 m) the following day.
At the 1970 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships held in Vysoké Tatry, Czechoslovakia, Raška's popularity was evident as over 100 K spectators gathered to witness his jumps. He earned a silver medal in the large hill event and finished eighth in the normal hill event. In the 1970-1971 season, he achieved overall victory in the prestigious Four Hills Tournament. He also claimed a bronze medal at the inaugural Ski-flying World Championships in 1972, further demonstrating his prowess in the discipline. At the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, he placed fifth in the normal hill event and tenth in the large hill event.
Jiří Raška's world records are detailed in the table below:
| Date | Hill | Location | Metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 21, 1969 | Velikanka bratov Gorišek K153 | Planica, Yugoslavia | 512 ft (156 m) |
| March 22, 1969 | Velikanka bratov Gorišek K153 | Planica, Yugoslavia | 538 ft (164 m) |
2.4. Transition to Coaching and Retirement
In 1974, Jiří Raška began a new phase of his career, transitioning into a coaching role while continuing to compete actively. He had a clear condition for his retirement from competitive jumping: "I decided to end immediately once the first junior beats me." This commitment to the sport, even as a coach, defined his later years as an athlete. His competitive career ultimately concluded in 1976, when he was surpassed by a younger athlete, František Novák.
3. Coaching Career
Following his illustrious competitive career, Jiří Raška dedicated himself to coaching, contributing significantly to the development of ski jumping in the Czech Republic.
3.1. National Team Coach and Federation Roles
From 1994 to 1996, Jiří Raška served as a coach for the Czech national ski jumping team, working alongside other prominent figures like Medal and Malec. Beyond the senior team, he also coached the Czech junior representation throughout the 1990s, nurturing young talent. His influence extended to administrative roles within the sport, as he held the position of vice-chair of the Czech Ski Union. In these capacities, Raška continued to shape the future of Czech ski jumping, applying his vast experience and knowledge to guide the next generation of athletes.
4. Legacy and Reception
Jiří Raška's impact extended far beyond his individual achievements, leaving an enduring legacy on Czech sports and inspiring future generations.
4.1. "Czech Skier of the Century" and Influence
Jiří Raška's profound influence on Czech ski jumping and sports was officially recognized when he was elected the "Czech Skier of the Century" in a poll conducted by the Czech Ski Union. This accolade underscored his status as a national hero and a symbol of exceptional sporting achievement. His legacy continued through his family, as his grandchildren, Jan Mazoch and Jiří Mazoch, also became competitive ski jumpers, carrying on the family tradition in the sport. Raška's pioneering success, particularly his historic Olympic gold, provided an unparalleled source of inspiration and national pride, solidifying his position as a legendary figure whose impact transcended the realm of sports, contributing to the nation's collective identity and aspirations.
5. Death
Jiří Raška's remarkable life concluded in 2012.
5.1. Final Years and Passing
Jiří Raška passed away on January 20, 2012, at the age of 70, in Nový Jičín, Czech Republic. His death marked the end of an era for Czech ski jumping, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled athletic achievement and significant contributions to the development of the sport.