(ATR) Czech NOC vice president Roman Kumpost says that the National Hockey League’s absence from PyeongChang 2018 will not hinder enthusiasm and interest for Olympic hockey in the Czech Republic.
"It will definitely not have influence on Czech fans watching Olympic hockey on TV," Kumpost said on the sidelines of the ANOC General Assembly in Prague, Czech Republic.
"Ice hockey is so popular here, even the Czech ice hockey league and we will build a strong and powerful team for PyeongChang.
"Without the NHL, it is a completely new situation, " Kumpost said. "All of the ice hockey countries are speculating what will happen, but I think for us, it might even be an advantage."
The proudest moment in Czech Winter Olympic history occurred in Nagano 1998 as the Czechs upset Russia 1-0 to win ice hockey gold. The Nagano hockey tournament was the first of five consecutive Games in which NHL players participated, a string that will come to an end in South Korea.
Kumpost said the Czech delegation for PyeongChang will be comprised of nearly 100 athletes. While the nation will be passionately urging on its hockey team, medal contenders include speed skater Martina Sablikova, biathlete Gabriela Koukalová and snowboarders Ester Ledecka and Eva Samková.
In Sochi 2014, a team of 83 athletes in 11 sports represented the Czech Republic. The central European nation won eight medals, including two gold from Sáblíková and Samková.
For PyeongChang, Ledecka, 22, is aiming to become the first athlete to compete in both alpine skiing and snowboarding events at the same Winter Games.
"She is an extremely talented girl – we will support her and this would be something very special," Kumpost said about Ledecka’s ambitious two-sport endeavor.
As at recent Olympics, the Czech hospitality house will once again be open to the public serving the famed Czech pivo (beer) Pilsner Urquell. It will be located in the Gangneung cluster, near the ice arenas.
Kumpost also noted that the NOC will continue to compete under the name Czech Republic through Tokyo 2020, as opposed to Czechia, which Czech politicians approved as the country’s official short name on May 2, 2016.
"It needs some time, it is completely new," Kumpost said, referring to the name Czechia. "According to the Czech state rules now in the Czech Republic, we can use both.
"We have built up this brand over the years, and it’s not so easy to switch to something else," he said. "We will discuss with the Czech sport society and after Tokyo, maybe we will switch to Czechia."
Written and reported by Brian Pinelliin Prague
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