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The marriage of Olga Fikotova and Harold Connolly
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The marriage of Olga Fikotova and Harold Connolly
The marriage of the American Olympic hammer-thrower, Harold Connolly, and the Czech gold medal discus-thrower, Olga Fikotova. They wed at the Catholic Cathedral in Prague. The couple were only able to marry after special permission from the President of Czechoslovakia. Date: 1957
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Media ID 14250990
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Athlete Athletes Connolly Discus Hammer Harold Medal Olga Olympian Olympic Olympics Prague Thrower Weddings
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In this enchanting black-and-white photograph, the radiant smiles of Olga Fikotova and Harold Connolly illuminate the hallowed halls of the Catholic Cathedral in Prague as they exchange vows in an intimate wedding ceremony. The year was 1957, and the union of these two extraordinary athletes marked a significant moment not only in their lives but also in the annals of Olympic history. Harold Connolly, an American hammer-thrower, and Olga Fikotova, a Czech gold medal discus-thrower, had met during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Their shared passion for athletics and their mutual admiration for each other quickly blossomed into a deep connection. However, their desire to marry faced a formidable challenge: the political climate of the time. With the Iron Curtain dividing Europe, the Czechoslovakian government initially denied Olga permission to leave the country to marry Harold in the United States. Undeterred, the couple persisted, and with the help of influential friends and the intervention of the President of Czechoslovakia, they were granted special permission to wed in Prague. Their wedding day was a beautiful celebration of love and athletic achievement. Olga, resplendent in a stunning white hat adorned with flowers, and Harold, dapper in a crisp suit and hat, exuded an air of joy and excitement. The photograph captures a fleeting moment of pure happiness, a testament to the power of love to transcend borders and defy political obstacles. This image, a poignant reminder of the 1950s and the era of the Olympics, showcases the enduring romance between two remarkable athletes and the extraordinary lengths they went to be together.
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