Zatopek to be honoured with Order of Merit

Czech Olympic legend Emil Zatopek, who died last Wednesday aged 78, will be honoured posthumously with the IAAF's Golden Order of Merit.

In a statement, athletics' ruling body said on Wednesday it was being done "in recognition of his outstanding achievements in athletics and the inspirational example he offered to the youth of the world."

IAAF president Lamine Diack will attend Zatopek's state funeral in Prague on December 6 with International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Zatopek's finest achievements came at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics when he won the 5,000 and 10,000 metres plus the marathon in the space of eight days, each in Olympic record time.