Jiri Raska is the most well-known Czech ski jumper and the first Czech winner in the Winter Olympics. Jiri was born on February 4, 1941 in Frenstat and was one of four children raised by his mother after his father passed away from leukaemia.

He loved playing all sports like football and cycling, but his passion was really in winter sports. After years of practicing and watching others, he finally was in a situation where he could show people the art of what he loved to do. In the 1968  Olympic Games in Grenoble, he won the Gold Medal in the Individual normal hill event.  Jiri did not win because of his normal speed or distance, but instead by his fantastic, graceful movement during flight and his sense of uncomparable style.

In the 1990's Jiri Raska was a coach of the Czech junior representation and vice chairman of the Czech Ski Union. He was later elected on the Ski poll as a Czech skier of the century.