Because all the athletes were at home here, it wasn’t just about sports. For example, a guitar was prepared for Tereza Voborníková on stage. It is known in Vrchlabí that she learned to play this instrument as a little girl. So the locals here wanted to know if he would play anything else.
“But I was on my nails two hours ago and I would need them to last until the end of the season,” Voborníková defended herself with a smile to the musical performance.
Jakub Hroneš revealed what snowboarders need fat for. “It’s a cheaper trick than if we used waxes. So, we’re not waxing the board with lard, but we’re lubricating the railing with it. The metal railing blunts the metal edges of the board,” he explained.
This time the silver Eva did not get the horse
Eva Adamczyková was at a similar event in Vrchlábí for the third time. For the first time after the sensational gold in Sochi, she received a horse as a gift from the city. Then after four years with a bronze medal from Pyongyang.
“I’m not afraid that they’ll give me another horse. But I already have two, so a third wouldn’t matter at all. But I don’t need to get anything at all, I’m happy for the meeting here,” laughed Adamczyková. But she revealed that she is happy about the weather. “It was freezing last time. This is perfect weather. It’s great how many people gathered here,” she pointed to the thousands of people in the square.
She didn’t really get the horse this time, but the mayor still came up with an unconventional idea. “We are considering making a special photo spot here on the square where tourists can take pictures with Eva. That is, if they allow,” said Mayor Jan Sobotka.
Bronze biathlete Tereza Voborníková was welcomed on Wednesday in nearby Hostinné, where she was born. On Thursday in Vrchlabí, she also enjoyed the celebration with her partner Mikuláš Karlík. “I’m glad how many people gathered. Yesterday and today,” she told journalists, adding that she is otherwise still primarily focused on the end of the season. “Only then am I looking forward to some kind of celebration so that I can really enjoy it as well as my school duties,” added the athlete.
Lucie Charvátová, the flag bearer of the Czech Olympic expedition, likes to return home to Vrchlabí. “The support of the locals is the most important to me. I’m glad that the conditions here, for training and all youth sports, are great. I hope that there are many other talents who can follow in our footsteps and there will be other flag bearers,” the biathlete wishes.
Souvenir trophies
The city prepared special trophies for all Czech Olympians. They were created by local craftsman Martin Plůcha, who also made, for example, prizes for the winners of this year’s downhill skiing World Cup race in Špindlerův Mlýn. Each of the original artifacts made of concrete and wood bears the imprint of a specific sporting moment from this year’s games.
“Since there were also two medals, we quickly prepared one more gift for both medalists. It is from the Krkonoše company Rautis, whose glass bead ornaments are part of the UNESCO world heritage,” added mayor Jan Sobotka. The decorative box contained glass stars and a silver snowboard for Eva and bronze skis for Tereza.
Photo: Ludmila Žlábková, Fairpress
