Special Olympics Czech Republic held its fifth National Summer Games from July 4-8 in the capital city of Prague. Approximately 900 athletes competed in athletics, aquatics, table tennis, football, volleyball, gymnastics, cycling, and ‘throw ball’ – a nationally popular sport similar to volleyball (players throw the ball instead of hitting it over the net). Three guest delegations from Belgium, Slovakia, and Poland also attended the Games.
As in 1996 and 1998, the Games were held in memory of the former first lady of the Czech Republic – Olga Havlova, who was a strong supporter of the Special Olympics Program until she died in 1996.
On July 4, the Flame of Hope and Special Olympics flag were carried under police escort through the streets of Prague by representatives of the Czech Department of Interior. At Rosicky Stadium, where the Opening Ceremonies were held, the Flame was carried by Vlastimil Harapes, head of the National Theater ballet; Jarmila Kratochvilova, world champion (1983) in 400-meter and 800-meter and Olympic medallist; and Special Olympics athletes. The cauldron was lit by Kratochvilova and Special Olympics athlete Petr Kriso.
The Athlete Oath was recited by Special Olympics athlete Ludmila Nesa and the Official’s Oath was recited by IAAF (International Amateur Athletic Federation) official Jan Jurecka
Honored guests represented sport, culture and government, and included Milan Jirasek, chairman, Czech Olympic Committee; Dana Zatopkova, Olympic medallist (javelin) and wife of track and field legend Emil Zatopek; Milos Zapletal, president, Art Productions K; Petr Miller, former minister of social affairs; Olympian (wrestling) Petr Kment; Rosie Stancer, British journalist and explorer who brought the Special Olympics flag to the South Pole; representatives of the office of President Vaclav Havel; representatives of the departments of social affairs, education and sports, and interior; and Lucie Bila, the country’s most popular singer. Many of the honored guests are long-time Special Olympics supporters. After the Opening Ceremonies, popular Czech performers and artists including Bila and Harapes gave a concert.
‘Since its establishment in 1990, Special Olympics Czech Republic has been privileged to gain the interest of leaders in our society who through the years continue to give their wholehearted support to our Program,’ said Martina Stredova, the Program’s National Director. ‘Our coaches and athletes are dedicated to the ideals of sports. These ideals along with our love of cultural life are what we strive to celebrate during the National Games.’
‘The strong sports tradition that the Czech Republic has was reflected in these Games,’ said Krzysztof Krukowski, Regional Manager, Central Europe and Eurasia, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia. ‘The venues were of very high quality. The technical officials did an excellent job and the athletes were well trained and competed with great enthusiasm,’ he said.
Krukowski praised the 120 volunteers. ‘Under the overall guidance of Olga Kurzova, head of the Games Organizing Committee, the volunteers made the whole event run smoothly,’ said. He also noted that the special events – a disco, a city tour and a concert by Special Olympics athletes – were received enthusiastically by participants.
The main sponsors of the Games included the city of Prague, which holds the title of the European City of Culture 2000, Art Production K., Otis, Interbanka, Coca Cola, TOMA and the Marriott Hotel.
As a prelude to the Games, a press conference was held on June 20, which resulted in reports on Czech national radio and on a sports magazine on Czech national television. Lubomir Kurz, who handles public relations for Special Olympics Czech Republic is preparing a CD-ROM presentation on the Games and program that will appear in the September issue of CHIP, a popular computer magazine.
Source: Special Olympics