Czech Olympians 'Back On The Track'

(ATR) Czech athletes and Olympians returned to competition as track and field facilities open up across the Czech Republic.

The ‘Back on the Track’ meeting at Sletiste Stadium in Kladno, just outside of Prague, was the first of six scheduled national events over the coming weeks. With coronavirus restrictions easing in the Czech Republic, more than 170 facilities across the country held events for participants across all levels.

Double Olympic champion Barbora Špotáková threw a javelin in competition for the first time since the world championships in Doha, Qatar last fall.

"I hope that the fans are happy that we are back on the track," said Špotáková, who won the meet with a toss of 63.69 meters. "I like this project because it is in 170 stadiums across the Czech Republic – I didn’t even know there are so many of them.

"We are showing the world that it is possible and that everything is getting better now."

The Monday meeting, which began in the afternoon, was contested without spectators in the stands. However, fans were permitted to line the perimeter of the track separated by sufficient distance from athletes, officials and media.

"Not many people here in the stadium and not the best atmosphere, but at least people are watching us from the park and that’s good," said three-time world indoor champion Pavel Maslak, who raced to victory in the men’s 300-meters.

Parts of three track meets were broadcast live on Czech Television and with a deal to provide rights to European Broadcasting Union (EBU) members and remove geo-blocking restrictions, the competitions could be viewed around the world, while also being streamed on the Olympic Channel.

Czech Athletics Federation president Libor Varhanic expounded on the nationwide project speaking with Around the Rings.

"We needed some massive, robust comeback for athletics," Varhanic said. "I thought about this challenge to really come back across more than 100 stadiums.

"The challenge has been accepted by our clubs and I’d like to thank them because it’s 173 [facilities], so it’s more than 17,000 athletes competing today."

Initially, as the meets were being planned government restrictions permitted gatherings of no more than 50 people in the country. However, the number has since increased to 300, enabling athletes, coaches, officials and broadcasters to attend the event.

Varhanic hopes the Czech competitions inspire others.

"As a federation, we are organizing six meets around the country to give the athletes a first possibility to compete after these difficult times," said Varhanic, also a vice-president with the Czech NOC.

"We are also trying to give hope to athletes abroad because not every country is the same now, but we believe everything will pass and they will come back to the track luckily as we have today."

Varhanic also spoke about the importance of supporting and helping Czech athletes to remain motivated for the postponed Tokyo Olympics.

"We must be creative, we must be prepared and that’s our role to work for our athletes," Varhanic said. "They need to find the strength inside to stay motivated because it is one more year, but I am happy because the feedback is positive.

"They are training hard, looking forward to Tokyo and hopefully the Games will be a fantastic comeback after epidemia."

Špotáková, 38, won Olympic gold in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and added a bronze at Rio 2016. Working with a new coach, she is striving to compete at her fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"The age is here, but I’m optimistic now," said Špotáková, the current women’s javelin world record holder. "First I was disappointed [about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics], but otherwise I told myself that I have a new coach now and it’s our first season together. Next season will be better.

"Here everything changes every day, so I hope around the world it will be the same," she said about athletes returning to sports facilities.

"We will be back on the track internationally very soon."

Written and reported in Prague by Brian Pinelli

Follow Brian on Twitter: @Brian_Pinelli

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