The Dark Side Of World Records 

I tested positive just watching this video.

My brother and I were in Germany for the summer at my grandmother’s house in Nürnberg. We went running out at the park around the corner but wanted to make it back in time for the men’s 800m. We ran back just in time to catch it. My grandmother’s TV took a long time to warm up so we could hear the crowd roaring well before the picture came in and revealed this big dude pounding down the home stretch. I cursed, thinking we had missed the men’s 800m. Then I saw the rest of the women make the turn for home. That dude was Kratochvilova and this was the race.

I watched the first 46 seconds of the video thinking this Dude must be on Juice with those muscles running the 800, then I find out its the Womens 800. Stop it, no test needed

Her coach supplying her with his own special supply of supplements is one if the buggest red flags to me

She’s built like Nick Symmonds, and I’ve seen Nick Symmonds get accused of steroids so many times throughout his career. This is the most obviously not natty world record in existence and I have no idea why we’ve let it stand. It DOES NOT COUNT in my head canon.

You should mention the fact that the second fastest time ever recorded in this race was set in 1980 by Soviet athlete Olizarenko at the Olympic Games. This time is still the Olympic record and Kratochvílová only beat it by 0.15 second. Both of these times are a long way ahead of the third fastest effort.

As someone who remembers watching Kratochvilova, Koch, etc. run at the time? The doping was so obvious you'd have had to be blind not to see they were hopped up on steroids. There were so many women from Eastern Bloc countries who looked like middle linebackers that joke was always that the sprinters and middle distance runners were beefier than the throws athletes. They would give interviews through translators and had deeper voices than most male athletes. I remember when Randy Barnes was doping people would joke that the East Germans and Czech's were bigger than Barnes. Given that the testing at the time wasn't very good - of course Kratochvilova's coach said she was taking B12. Similarly Carl Lewis took a lot of "cold medication." Snort.

Fair play to her for having the balls to run so quickly 😂😂

All of the world records for weightlifting have been reset several times. It was due to other reasons, but it’s one of the few sports that are known to be more dirty than track and field.

No mention in the video that she was possibly intersex, she also had a legal 200m best time of 21.97 seconds from 1981 one of the fastest ever times back then and still world class today, no current female 800m runner is even close to being world class at 200m.

I don't think it is possible to train 7 hours a day pretty much every day of the year and recover fast enough unless you are using performance enhancing drugs.

Ah! The 1980s Communist Bloc: Back when men were men, and so were the women.

Drugs seem almost like a certainty. So many red flags from her physique to her times even to the Eastern European block in the 80s. All the signs are there. Reminds me of the saying "when something seems too good to be true, it usually is."

That dude was really crushing those girls in the race at the start of the video! Good for him that’s awesome. 😂

Doing 1 push up and 2 sit-ups for every like this comment gets - gotta get big for the ladies

In 2023 Femke Bol ran a 49,26 400m indoor WR and took over Jarmila Kratochvilova's 400m indoor WR (49, 59) dating back to 1982. So there's still hope.

Comparing the comments on this video and the ones on Florence Griffith Joyner is certainly interesting.

I think its obvious why it hasn't been broken.... look at her ffs!!! She is more juiced than Del Monte

Unfortunately, so many women haven't gotten the love/accolades that should've come with being a World Record Holder cos of drug cheats from the 70/80s :( The likes of Pamela Jelimo (1.54.01) & Ana Fidelia Quirot (1.54.44) should've been celebrated more but unfortunately weren't. Hopefully the likes of Athing, Keely & Mary Moraa can stay healthy & push each other as close as possible to that WR!

Using lemmino music is an instant thumbs up for me, great video!

One of the reasons that the WR has stood for so long is that for so long it has been assumed to be drug fuelled, that it is just so fast it is impossible to break - so no one really tries. It is possible that the barrier is as much mental as physical. What I believe is necessary to break any WR is to first believe that you can break it and then be able to run consistently somewhere close to WR pace for at least a season. When you look at the women's 800m the 1.55 barrier has only been broken 17 times and the 1.56 barrier a mere 79 times. To have any chance of breaking the WR someone would need to be running sub 1.56 repeatedly. However, I do think we may be in an era where the WR might come under challenge. We have 3 athletes who broke 1.56 last year- for most of the last 40 years we have been lucky if 1 athlete broke that barrier once every couple of years. This makes a massive difference. Up til now female 800m runners knew that running 1.57 would make you a contender for a medal at worlds or Olympics, breaking 1.57 would guarantee a medal and you would be definitely contending for gold. Now there is a good chance that running slower than 1.56.00 gets you nothing, that requires athletes to push beyond what they thinks the limits should be. Then there is friendly rivalry between Athing Mu and Keely Hodkinson who are both still young and which should push them to run faster, I expect Keely to break 1.55 this coming season and Athing to break 1.54.5.

He's one hell of an athlete

Thanks for your question: I don't buy it. Her physical characteristics...right! Other male and female sprinters have focused on the 100 and 200 for years and they don't begin to approach what she's hauling.

I mean, what did we learn from Lance Armstrong? Its not just first place using PEDs, its the top half of finishers. She tested negative at the time by the governing body, like her competitors, just like Usain Bolt or Eliud. Hope we can see someone come in strong and break this world record in my lifetime!

It obvious that she is on PED'S and it equally obvious that FloJo was also on PED'S. The funny thing is that America tries to pretend she was clean. Ignoring the fact that FloJo appreance changed. Her muscle tone changed. The fact that she improved her 200m time by 7 tenths of a second.Also improved her 100m time by 5 tenths of second. All in one year. Also dying at 38 or 39 years and the optopsy show she had a enlarge heart common with Steroid use and a rare brain issue that was common with the use of HGH. Which could have been the reason she had a epileptic seizure and died

I thought that a guy had somehow entered the race on a technicality or something😭😭😭

It's worth stating that training of that intensity is often a sign of PEDs, those not on them can't recover fast enough to benefit from them.

I watched this runner in action on TV as a kid and to be fair it was incredible to watch, partly for the phenomenal running ability and partly for the thing that was poking out of the front of the runner's shorts.

I always look forward to David's video and he never disappoints.

She's so fast she's sweating steroid 😂

I asked her for an interview and she said no, I'm busy throwing anvils through the moon.

In the East European countries that had State Sponsored Doping Programs, the athletes were not aware. The athletes themselves did nothing wrong and only found out that they were likely to have been part of the program decades later. They were obviously aware that they were being given things, just not aware that they were illegal, usually under the guise of nutrient supplements, etc. Where Jarmila is concerned, it probably wasn't a case of doping or a brutal training regime, it would likely have been both, as would be the case for anyone doping. Whilst doping will have a greater impact or some individuals than others, it will only work when combined with training that takes advantage of the extra strength and/or enduarnace afforded by the drugs. It is unfortunate that there are world records that were likely the result of PED use and the best clean times/distances can never receive the recognition they deserved and potentially the wealth that would have accompanied them, but the only real solution going forward would be to start with a clean slate and that could only be worthwhile once there is no way for the rules to be broken and that may never happen. It's like anti-virus software, whenever an exploit is found and blocked, a new exploit comes into play.

I think drugs are almost certain. It should be broken by now with all the improvements in the sport of running.

This guy owned that race.

She always reminds me of Roger Daltry from the Who.

I hope Mu or Hodkinson will break this record. But I’m more confident on the 800m indoor record for the British

hell nah how are standing up after running that😅anyones who ever ran the 800 should understand

Looking like some internally integrated Boston Dynamics SPOT Legs after the race

Stunning and brave

There was a lot of doping at the time in Czechoslovakia. I do not doubt that. Very likely, most of her direct competitors doped as well - they were mostly from Eastern Germany and the state run system of doping there was certainly the most advanced. I am not even talking about Russians. But the amount of training punishment and body transformation she could withstand was really incredible - you must have a phenomenal talent and mentality to go through that. In her later years, she was a normal looking lady and regularly appered at youth competitions. She was a youth coach - there was nothing masculine about her. I, as a kid competing in 1500m, had problems recognising it is the same person.

To be honest if you can set a record that has not been broken or even close to being broken, you are either a really good runner or a really good druggy and know how to hide it. No matter if she really did cheat this is a great accomplishment that has stood the test of time.

First thing I thought of when watching. Dam that dude is fast

I just ordered a shit ton of B12, I'll keep you posted.

She is literally Ivan Drago

It reminds me of motor racing like F1 where each year the cars get faster but the rules change to reduce the power and speed. Like the athletes get better training, better drugs but the testing also gets better. Only thing that stays constant is the corruption.

She is celebrated as a hero in Czech; profiles at every world champs, regular interviews. I was in Prague during this 2023 Worlds in Budapest and the TV commentators were still showing constant love for her during the 4s and 8s. For them, she's still the queen of the 400.

Chez republic athletes are next level in the late 80’s early 90’s. The two people I heard that are best Chez republic athletes are Jamila Kratochvilova (800 meter runner) and Jan Zelenzy (Javelin thrower) in this channel.

After the race, she went to the Miami Dolphin's training camp for a spot at outside linebacker.

That’s a guy bro

I think people are forgetting just how many Track and Field arhletes take steroids.

Your 'list' of top times missed Olizarenkos 1.53.43 run in 1980. Kazankina, Mineyeva and Melinte don't show up on it either.

Also played Steven Weber in Wings! Wow!

Juiced or not that is still an incredible run

4:23 adam's apple.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

I know this is a little out there. But I think with some sprint training- faith kipyegon could give WR A shot.

At the age of 17 I was running daily 3 up to 4km the first two laps in 1:50 min each lap in 55 seconds. I was a former powerlifter reducing my wight from 97kg into 86kg.

Do you recommend any video consultation coaches for sprinters?Can you link them or make a video about their effectiveness

Lookin' like Bruce Gender.

So what happened to such a recommendation regarding the unbreakable world records?

The old Cold War era women’s records across the board have been damaging to women’s athletics. It hasn’t plagued the men the same way because doping is much less effective for male athletes than female, but people are less engaged with women’s athletics directly because nobody has touched those world records. It’s very bad for the sport.

She’s so obviouslt on steroids her arms alone are bigger than most male athletes

who is that guy in the title picture?

I remember watching this, at the time i thought she ran an amazing race.

You didn't mention, she only broke Nadezhda Olizarenko's world record by .15. Olizarenko, a Soviet runner set that at the 1980 Olympics (the one USA boycotted so many don't seem to know it existed). The Soviets had as much, or more of a systematic doping program than the Russians (and Belorussians) do now. And their Eastern Bloc associates did the same thing to try to keep up. Its all based on the philosophy that "my political system is better because my athletes beat yours" which Hitler and Putin and the Communists and we Americans subscribe to. I guess that we should model ourselves after the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments then.

2:41 I don't get it, who's the guy in picture there

“however on this day, with the right performance, with the right fitness, right training, the right pacing,” and the right needle…he was able to run a world record time. vitamin b12 wink wink

She was a beast

For some reason this reminds me of the “Strong Woman” South Park episode 🤔 4:25

Plz Athing. Go get it!!! Had hoped Caster would do it but now we turn to you! Hope SML can take down Koch’s mark. Honestly if 1 of the JAM girls takes Flo off the books it is not all that bad. That 100 times looks more breezy with passage of time. -U10

I think if they pass the tests they should stand. If you really want have an “all time” category and a “post 2005” category.

Unless World Athletics decides to annul all of the 'tarnished' Records, we'll simply continue with present-day elite athletes never being eligible for bonuses. Consider these women's track events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 3000m, shot, and discus. Their Records are all suspect. Similarly, the men's discus and hammer are beyond the reach of our top performers, How would you feel if you were Olympic or World Champion, yet never earning whatever you were entitled to? Tony Hunt of World Junior Athletics News NZL...

"Very soecific dose of vitamins each day" hmmmm

In the famous words of Homer Simpson... "Dope!!!"

If they're going after records that's possibly tainted by PEDS, then at some point, people have to wonder about all the new shoes coming out like the Alphaflys and the records post super shoes.

She surely was a talented young man.

Will Athing Mu/The Hodge break the WR?

I look forward to your video on the female 100m and 200m.

Back then, did they also test for natural body testosterone or only synthetic testosterone, and their likes?

She was on the sauce, no doubt.

That’s a strong man

Meanwhile NOBODY says anything about seb coe's 800m time set back in 1981.....

Wow her training is legendary. That made me an instant fan! I can relate. Both ends of my feet were crushed and ulnar nerve damage in my eighth arm. I literally do rehab and training all day every day. No holidays. No family. I want to go from cripple to Olympic Athlete jacked. Based on my own results after 2.5 years I believe she could’ve definitely been natural. I actually believe her that’s she was natural.

The IAAF needs to nullify all these doping and wind assisted records

Who else thought that was a man

Man, she was like 101 meters behind Rudisha's time.

She was a fantastic athlete and would very likely have been a multiple champion under any conditions but I doubt there is anyone who seriously thinks that this record was not set under enhancement. I disagree with Seb that wiping the records would regain credibility for the sport though - there are several more recent athletes that I am >90% sure were also on some form of doping regime but have not been caught under the supposedly strict modern controls. And as long as out of contest controls are done by local officials who are often part of state-sponsored programs, you simply cannot trust any of the results.

Even 40 years later I'm sure a test would provide a solid answer.

The dude is fast

ATHLETE NAME Nadezhda OLIZARENKO she runs a 1.53 800m and 400m 50.83 way slower 400m time

I saw her train at Gateshead in early 80’s. Her back & shoulders were covered in acne. Just like bodybuilders of that era I thought.

isn't that a men ?

The darkside of this is the ghosts she left in her dust when she set that record. Who were those women who should of had the chance at glory...

Jarmila herself said that she could have run faster in this race. And if there were "conductors" at that time, he would certainly have been able to run 1:51😉It can also be seen in the time of both 400 meters, they are the same, which is not "logical", usually the second 400 meters is faster

Roger Daltrey

That was a woman???!!!!!!!! 😮

I think it was the "vitamin"

I respect the fact that you're able to consistently talk about athletes so juiced that they'd piss hot enough to melt modern testing equipment with a straight face for almost an entire video. If training or diet could give an athlete that kind of advantage then the record would've been lowered by another second by now, just like the men's 800m.

That guys fast

though she might've took some PEDs, i'm still happy to hear an athlete from Czech or Czechoslovakia