According to the Czech "Prague Times" reported on January 21, the president of the Czech Olympic Committee, Jiëí Kejval, announced that the Czech Olympic Committee Plenary Session approved the athletes submitted by the individual sports federations by email, and will send at least 113 athletes to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, with another 140 entourage.
The Czech Republic will participate in all 15 sports and, for the first time ever, Czech curlers, hockey players and ski jumpers will appear in the competition. However, this list is likely to change in the coming days. "At the request of some sports associations, we have only included the current nominations in the list, and the specific list will be added in the next few days. This applies to biathlon and hockey. Czech Olympic Committee team leader Martin Doktor explained. Changes in the international sports federation's qualifications and redistribution may affect the number of Czech participants, especially in ski and snowboarding, and the final list will be determined on 21 January.
From the Czech point of view, the ice hockey team will be the most numerous to Beijing – there are 48 ice hockey players, and the traditional strengths are skiers and snowboarders, with the largest number of cross-country skiers. For the first time, the figure skating team will represent all four events.
Snowboarder Eva Samková, who fractured her ankle last December, is still on the nominee list. "Eva is eligible and nominated by the association, and she will decide at the last minute whether to go to Beijing to compete. Of course, the condition for athletes to participate is that they have sufficient health. Her doctor would make the decision for him. We will respect any decision Eva makes," Martin Docto said.
Based on the current epidemic situation and Beijing's epidemic prevention requirements, the president of the Czech Olympic Committee, Gśzh Kaival, said that more stringent epidemic prevention and control measures will be adopted: "I believe that all members of the committee understand this measure in the current situation. Taking into account the adverse development of the epidemic and the approaching Winter Olympics, we have taken this logical step in accordance with the charter. There are only a few days before the training team and athletes leave, so we do our best to reduce the risk of infection. ”
At the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics at the Bird's Nest on February 4, who will serve as the flag bearer of the Czech delegation remains uncertain. At the first five Winter Olympic Games, this honor was awarded to true Czech sports personalities: Aleš Valent, Martina Sáblíková, Jaromír Jágr, Šárka Strachová and Eva Samková.
Source: China News Network