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Love at the Cold War Olympics

How Czechoslovak discus thrower, Olga Fikotova, was punished for falling in love with an American at the 1956 games - despite winning a gold medal.

At the 1956 Olympics, the Czechoslovak discus thrower, Olga Fikotova, caused a scandal by falling in love with an American hammer thrower called Harold Connolly. Despite winning her country's only gold medal, Olga was treated as a potential traitor by the communist government and her achievements were ignored. A few months later, Harold Connolly visited Prague to marry Olga and take her back to America with him. Olga Fikotova tells her story to Claire Bowes.

PHOTO: Harold Connolly and Olga Fikotova on their honeymoon in 1957 (Associated Press)

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9 minutes

Last on

Wed 21 Dec 2016 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 19 Dec 2016 05:50GMT
  • Tue 20 Dec 2016 09:50GMT
  • Tue 20 Dec 2016 12:50GMT
  • Tue 20 Dec 2016 23:50GMT
  • Wed 21 Dec 2016 02:50GMT

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