POINTS TO REMEMBER
Always refer to the Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1992.
The country is split into the Czech Republic (Bohemia and Moravia) and the Slovak Republic (Slovakia).
Our guests are from the Czech Republic.
The Irish and Czech history is quite similar.
Czechs are predominately Catholic.
Gymnastics and all types of sport are very highly regarded.
Czechs rise early in the morning.
They are a more serious people. This would be due to the effect of
Communism which made them untrusting.
On a broader spectrum they are more educated than the Irish and they would take anything attached to education very seriously.
Their Leaving Cert students take 14 subjects so they take more exams and are more broadly educated.
We eat more sweet things in Ireland, but they do not eat as many vegetables as we do.
They come from a landlocked country so have asked to be taken to the sea.
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAMME IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Special Olympics is a voluntary, independent and non-profit organisation, which unites individuals and groups participating in and supporting the Special Olympics Programme. The programme represents the humanitarian ideals of sports and integration of everyone with learning difficulties. The main goal of the Czech Special Olympics is to enlarge the base for regular, consistent and well-organised sports and training programmes for people with intellectual difficulties. The organisation strives to universally increase their involvement in the Special Olympics Programme. Our effort is aimed at all people with intellectual difficulties, regardless of geography or the extent of disability.
The CSO encourages political, social and other organisations, together with individuals to support its aims to promote and spread sporting activities for people with learning difficulties and to integrate them into society. In order to maintain these activities, the CSO works ceaselessly to secure methodical, organisational and financial support for these actions.
The Executive Council of CSO promotes the goals of the Special Olympics by organising and co-ordinating activities, finding sponsors, and collecting and distributing donations and gifts. Currently the CSO has 142 Special Olympics Sports Clubs spanning the Czech Republic. This network of sports clubs includes more than 3200 special needs athletes, their coaches and trainers. The CSO receives support from the highest ranks of the Czech Republic including the President. The Special Olympics has received long term support from the Ministry of Social Works, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Since 1993, the CSO has been officially recognised and supported by the Council of Sports Representation of the Czech Republic.
There is much more that can be said about the Czech Special Olympics' athletes, volunteers and the unique atmosphere of the Games. However, even a short visit to any of the Special Olympics Games enables one to experience the truly special environment of the Special Olympics. It enables one to recognise and share the pure joy of the athletes, their skills and effort and most importantly to join the world of winners.
Text & Photos by Carol Gilbert
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For further information on
the history of
the Czech Republic:
MAIN EVENTS IN CZECH
SPECIAL OLYMPICS' HISTORY
In 1989, O Kurzová, Martina Stredová and L Kurz founded the preparatory council of Special Olympics in the former Czechoslovakia.
1990, April, the Special Olympics Czechoslovakia was officially founded and registered in Prague.
From 1989 when an unofficial group of 10 athletes from the former Czechoslovakia participated in Poland in the NSSOG in Warsaw, the Czech athletes have participated in Special Olympic Games at National, International and World Wide venues. They have participated in Winter and Summer World Games.
They have competed in Nordic skiing, floor hockey, Volleyball, table tennis, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, track and field, throwball, and cycling.
The list of sports the Czech Republic Team are participating in for the World Summer Games 2003 are:
Aquatics: 3 female and 3 male,
Athletics: 4 female and 4 male,
Cycling: 2 male and 2 female,
Gymnastics: 3 female and 1 male,
Table Tennis: 3 male and 3 female,
Football: 8 male,
Unified Volleyball: 10 male and female,
Volleyball: 10 male.
The delegation consists of 56 athletes, 20 coaches and 2 delegation leaders.
Arrangements have already been made for athletes to train in their designated sports at various venues throughout the area. Volunteers will be required to travel to the training with athletes and to travel to all the venues on the proposed itinerary.
THE 2003 CZECH DELEGATION
Coaches:
Martina Stredová, Olga Jurzová,
Hana Valková, Hana Svobodová,
Dagmar Dedková, Jana Boubinová,
Vastimil Harapes, Stanislav Urban/P/,
Dagmar Marineiková, Sona Blazková,
Kveta Charvatova, Hana Cejkova,
Oto Vala, Martin Nuhlicek,
Jaroslav Prouza, Miroslav Sadil,
Hana Urbanová, Jana Stanková,
Miloslav Jurán, Roman Kunovjanek
Athletes:
Jaromir Kovac, Zdenek Kovac,
Jan Gabor, Radim Teru,
Michal Kurec, Marek Juran,
Antonin Svoboda, Milan Slagor,
Michael Sejk, Hana Sejkova,
Lukas Zeman, Jiri Dobrusky,
Vaclav Dolejs, Jiri Bittner,
Felix Badco, Radek Pompa,
Miloslav Kunc, Ivan Kefurt,
Dezider Holub, Zdenek Mucha,
Jan Gabris, Emil Olah,
Ondrej Podolinsky, Antonin Mike,
Miroslav Prochazka, Josef Kaleja,
Petr Karabin, Vaclav Kalous,
Jan Lanta, Ivan Ikri,
Jarmila Kunderova, Dita Anderova,
Petra Mensikova, Katerina Pavlikova,
Misa Blahova, Blanka Johanisová, Dagmar Kubisová,
Michal Krejci, Tomás Albrecht,
Martin Werner, Josef Krema,
Petr Husár, Vojtech Krusina,
Jaroslav Liska, Michal Danek,
Jana Smerdová, Ivana Radimerská,
Katerina Sejtková, Jana Brouliková,
Iveta Rajzová, Alice Strapcová,
Vlastimil Lhotsky, Jaroslav Barták
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