Miroslav Koranda

Miroslav Koranda initially practised canoeing, which was more popular in Czechoslovakia, but switched to rowing. In 1952, he steered the Czechoslovakian coxed four to the nation's first ever Olympic medal in rowing, in a surprise victory. The Czechs confirmed their success with a European title in 1953, and a third place at the 1954 Europeans. Koranda then switched to become the coxswain of the Czechoslovakian eight, which won the 1956 European Championships. This led to high expectations for the Melbourne Games, but his boat went out in the semi-finals. After a third place at the 1957 European Championships, Koranda was no longer on the national team, but he made a brief return to prominence to compete at the inaugural World Rowing Championships in Luzern, 1962.