Olga Fikotova Connolly, a Czechoslovakian track and field athlete who won a gold medal in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, passed away at the age of 91 in Costa Mesa, Calif. She succumbed to breast cancer, surrounded by her family. Olga’s career as a discus thrower was illustrious, with five Olympic Games, five American championships, and four American records to her name. She married Harold Connolly, a hammer thrower from the United States, and their unlikely love story became the stuff of legend. Despite political tensions during the Cold War, the couple persevered and tied the knot in a public ceremony in Prague.
The Connollys settled in Southern California, where they raised four children who all became athletes in their own right. Olga competed in four more Olympics for the U.S. team, although she did not win any additional medals. She became a U.S. citizen and remained involved in the athletic world as a coach, personal trainer, and advocate for environmental causes. The couple also enjoyed a measure of celebrity, appearing on television shows and having Olga featured on a postage stamp honoring influential American women. While their marriage ultimately ended in divorce after 16 years, the impact of their love story lasted a lifetime.
Olga Fikotova was born in Prague in 1932 and grew up in a family with a strong military and political background. Her father was a legionnaire in the Czech Army, and her mother worked in a chemical plant to support the family. Olga discovered her athletic prowess as a teenager and excelled in sports like basketball and team handball. She won a gold medal in discus throwing at the 1956 Olympics, which remained a highlight in her athletic career. Olga’s proudest moment came in 1972 when she carried the American flag into the stadium during the Munich Olympics, showcasing her dedication to her adopted country.
Olga’s legacy in the sports world is highlighted by her groundbreaking romance with Harold Connolly, which defied political tensions to become a symbol of love and unity. Despite challenges from Czechoslovakia’s Communist government to their marriage, the couple’s devotion to each other prevailed, becoming front-page news around the world. Olga’s impact on the athletic world, both as an athlete and later as a coach and advocate, has left an indelible mark on those who knew her. While she may be remembered for her gold medal and Olympic appearances, it is her love story with Harold Connolly that truly transcends time and remains an enduring symbol of human connection and perseverance.
