Bolt, Coe to Visit Czech House; FIBA 3x3 Showcase; Cancer Survivor to Carry Flag

(ATR) Usain Bolt, Sebastian Coe, Sergei Bubka, Frank Fredericks and Colin Jackson are among the guests scheduled to make appearances at Czech House.

Between July 27 and August 12, for the first time in its Olympic history, the Czech Olympic Committee will open its doors to the general public at the traditional Games-time gathering place.

"In the past, we were criticized that the Czech House was just for officials, athletes and VIPs," says Jiri Kejval, vice-president of finance and marketing with the Czech NOC. "London is a great opportunity for us to change that. [England] is probably the country with the biggest Czech minority in the world."

"London is a popular location for Czechs, just being a one-hour-and-a-half flight from Prague. Unlike Vancouver and Beijing in the past, and Sochi and Rio in the future, it is easily accessible. It presents a unique opportunity for us and we are very inspired," Kejval adds in reference to the Czech House project.

Located downtown in Islington at the Business Design Center, Czech House is within walking distance of King's Cross train station and Angel underground station, and just seven minutes by high-speed train from the Olympic Park.

The 54,000 square-foot venue will have the capacity to hold 2,500 people in its bars, chill-out zone, internet places and sports viewing areas. Entertainment will also include large-screen projections, live concerts and DJs, exhibitions, art exhibits and celebrations with athletes.

Keeping with Czech tradition, visitors will encounter controversial Czech artist David Cerny’s latest creation upon entrance, and Pilsner Urquell beer will be served.

Regarding Cerny’s work, which will officially be unveiled July 24, Kejval said, "I can’t tell you what it will be, but it will be extremely funny for everybody."

Bolt received a formal invitation from Kejval as part of his contract with the organizers of the Ostrava Golden Spike Meet annually contested in the Czech Republic in May, an event that the Jamaican world record holder regularly attends. The three-time Olympic gold medalist from Beijing is scheduled to make his appearance at Czech House on either July 30 or 31.

3x3 Hoops at Czech House

Also on display at Czech House will be a three-on-three basketball court, a cooperative effort between the International Basketball Association and the Czech and British Basketball Associations to showcase the 3x3 event, which made its Olympic debut at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

"FIBA would like to promote this event as an Olympic discipline for Rio 2016 and we will have an official court in our house sized according to the official regulations," said Kejval about the high-tempo game, which currently is played by 250 million participants worldwide.

Playing in various competitions and tournaments on the three-on-three court will be world tour professionals, men's over 18 teams, women's national team members, British youth teams and select NBA players, among others. Dunk competitions and cheerleader shows will also be held.

Kejval said that discussions with FIBA about the project began about a year ago.

"Three-on-three could offer FIBA the possibility for non-traditional basketball nations who have trouble qualifying for the traditional tournament to compete and also attract the interest of the younger generation, so we hope to be a part of this process," said Kejval.

Cancer Survivor to Carry Flag

Badminton competitor and cancer survivor Petr Koukal will lead the Czech Republic contingent as flagbearer at the July 27 opening ceremony.

Koukal, who also competed in Beijing, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in September 2010, undergoing urgent surgery to save his life.

"After Beijing, I kept up a high level and was actually still improving," said Koukal. "It was at the moment when I felt like I was playing my best, competing against the top players in the world and starting to beat them, I got this cancer diagnosed and everything changed in just one moment."

While nearing completion of nine weeks of chemotherapy treatment, following four weeks of recovery time after the surgery, the 26-year-old from Prague returned to training. Just recently, Koukal managed to qualify for the London Games, earning the 40th and final place allotted in the men’s singles event.

"It’s been one-and-a-half years now since I started my treatment," he said. "It changed everything. I was on my way to the top and in just a few minutes everything changed and I had to start all over again."

Koukal said that his goal is to reach the quarterfinal in London.

Czech Olympic Team in London

Representing the Czech Republic in London will be 133 athletes, 68 men and 65 women.

In Beijing, the Czech Republic attained six medals, three gold and three silver, including shooter Katerina Emmons winning the first gold medal of the Games in the women’s 10-meter air rifle.

"We’d like to repeat our success from Beijing," said Kejval, regarding expectations in London. "Anything around that number and we’ll be good. Generally, if we’ll be ahead of Slovakia, then we’ll be happy," he joked about their neighboring rivals.

The chef de mission for the Czech Republic will be NOC vice president of sport Frantisek Dvorak. Having served in the position at every Olympics dating back to Nagano 1998, London will mark the 70-year-old’s eighth time as team leader.

Official sponsors of the Czech Olympic Team for London include automobile manufacturer Skoda, Pilsner Urquell beer, utilities company CEZ Group and energy company RWE.

Fourth Olympics for Sebrle

Having recently been in the headlines for the end of his 11-year reign as decathlon world record holder, 2004 Olympic champion Roman Sebrle will be competing in his fourth consecutive Olympic Games in London.

Sebrle, 37, who also won a silver medal in Sydney 2000, was world record holder in the two-day event dating back to May 27, 2001. His longstanding mark of 9,026 points was eclipsed by USA's Ashton Eaton, who tallied 9,039 at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon on June 23.

The popular Czech decathlete qualified for the Games at the recent European Championships in Helsinki, where he finished sixth and attained the ‘B’ qualification mark, scoring 8,052 points. Sebrle, who placed sixth in Beijing 2008, has said that London will be his final Olympic Games.

Reported in Prague by Brian Pinelli

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