Czech Gymnastics Legend Vera Caslavska Honored in Prague

(ATR) Olympic gymnastics champion Vera Caslavska was honored at a poignant memorial ceremony at the National Theater in Prague on Monday morning.

Friends, family, dignitaries including Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, members of the Czech and Slovak Olympic Committees and Olympic medalists paid tribute to Caslavska during a 90-minute ceremony.

Click here for photos of Vera Caslavska's memorial ceremony.

The event opened with a gymnastics-themed ballet and also included a humorous drama performance and film montage.

Caslavska, a seven-time Olympic champion at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympics, protested the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. Although suppressed by government leaders for her actions, she became a national hero and informally served as an advisor to president Vaclav Havel, who led the former Czechoslovakia out of communism.

"She was courageous and one of the best women of the 20th century – she was a national hero," said Olga Sommerova, director of the documentary film "Vera 68." "Even when our freedom was taken from us, she was a great idol inspiring us to fight for our freedom."

Caslavska died on Aug. 30 at age 74 after battling pancreatic cancer. A private family funeral took place on Thursday, according to Caslavska's wishes.

Not only was Caslavska a dominant gymnast and social activist, but also president of the Czechoslovak and later Czech Republic Olympic Committee from 1990-1996. She was an IOC member between 1995 and 2001.

Pál Schmitt represented the International Olympic Committee in Prague.

"She was a great personality, a good friend, a great athlete and an IOC member," Schmitt said. "For awhile, she was not able to come to some of the compulsory IOC sessions, but we always kept good connections and we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Tokyo Games with her – she was very popular in Japan.

"She could have also become a politician and I think she was invited to become mayor of the city [Prague] - her popularity was endless here at that time in Czechoslovakia. She refused to become involved in politics and remained just as Vera forever. I’m a great admirer of her and she was a Czechoslovakian hero."

Accompanying the former Hungarian president was his wife Katalin Makray-Schmitt, who competed against Caslavska at the 1964 and 1968 Games, and stood alongside her on the uneven bars podium in Tokyo.

"It was my golden age and we competed together and met many times all over the world," Makray-Schmitt said. "She was the greatest gymnast I think."

Caslavska continued to pledge her support and inspire Czech Olympians through the lead-up to Rio 2016. She attended the London 2012 Games at age 70.

Caslavska charmed Japanese fans rising to prominence by winning her first three Olympic gold medals in Tokyo. She maintained a bond with the country throughout her life, making her last visit there in 2012.

The Czech Olympic Committee organized the ceremony at the historic theater in the heart of Prague, where outside mourners have been visiting a memorial with a black and white photo of Caslavska, leaving flowers, lighting candles and offering their condolences.

Czech NOC president Jiri Kejval told Around the Rings that Caslavska was dedicated to helping the nation’s Olympic athletes, while also urging government leaders for financial support.

"She was incredible – she was interested in sport, politics, culture and her family," said Kejval, who sat alongside Slovakian NOC president Frantisek Chmelar during the ceremony. "She was unique that she inspired all the generations."

"Today, all the members of the government were here – they postponed their meeting about the state budget," Kejval advised. "This year we will probably get 80-percent higher budget for sport than last year and Vera was one of the biggest fighters. She had a pretty good relationship with the minister of finance and always tried to persuade him."

The ceremony was broadcast live by Czech Television and shown on a large video screen outside the theater.

As the morning ceremony drew to a close, those gathered in the historic theater gave Caslavska a standing ovation and spontaneously erupted into choruses of both the Czech Republic and Slovakia national anthems.

Written by Brian Pinelliin Prague

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