My first World Championships as a spectator and devoted fan was the 1991 edition in Stuttgart, Germany. One day I exited the stadium and got on one of the commuter trains. I stood in a packed car and was hanging on to a pole for dear life. A group of people was sitting next to me, and a big burly man was facing me. For a moment, I thought it was javelin legend, Jan Zelezny. I was a bit embarassed at my confusion,  and the man graciously indicated that he was not a legend but that one was sitting to my right. 

Jarmila

She was quite regal in her bearing and it was clear I was in the presence of track and field royalty. People helped with translation - she was there to do Czech radio - and soon my writing pad and pen were in her hands.

It was a memorable moment when I realized that she had not only given me her autograph, but that she had written down her two world record events and times as well.

A track and field treasure, indeed.

Now if only the man had been Zelezny!