Zatopek, nursing an injury, came sixth in the marathon behind his longtime rival and friend Alain Mimoun of France.

CNN: Man of the people

After bursting clear of Peters, the incredible Zatopek had energy enough to chat with journalists who were following the race by car.

CNN: Man of the people

Not only that, Bikila had broken the world record and knocked almost eight minutes off Emil Zatopek's previous Olympic best of 1952.

CNN: Olympic memories: Bikila's triumph