Two years ago, Masaryk University sent ten of its students to the Winter Olympics in Beijing. This year it could “only” root for two. European and national champion in men’s skeet Jakub Tomeček saw an Olympic venue for the third time. Ending his Parisian Olympic journey in the qualifier, he ultimately finished twelfth. “Expectations were higher, as these were my third Olympic games. People wanted more as well. I think I was prepared but I needed just one shot to move to the final round,” Tomeček said after the qualifier.
The second Olympian who can call himself a MU alumnus is Adam Ondra, one of the best climbers of his generation specialising in lead climbing and bouldering. Ondra, who has several World and European Championship titles under his belt, was aiming for medals in Tokyo two years ago, ultimately finishing sixth in the combination of three disciplines. The podium looked realistic in Paris as well but Ondra finished sixth again in the combination of lead climbing and bouldering. “I don’t think I have ever been more prepared than this time. I put my heart to the training for the Olympics. I can be proud of what I achieved. Still, it is a bit bittersweet because it was not enough for any medal. And I really wanted one,” Ondra says in a thank-you statement to his supporters.
The Czech fencing community has not seen team success and a bronze medal for over a century. Dean of the Faculty of Sports Jan Cacek joined the virtual long-distance celebrations. Cacek was involved in the training for the Olympics of three members of the four-person fencing team. “The semi-finals were thrilling. I am honoured to have helped the team with their physical training,” Jan Cacek says, referring to Jakub Jurka, Michal Čupr a Martin Rubeš.
The Paralympics started at the end of August. On the very first day of the programme, swimmer and student of MU’s Faculty of Law Agáta Koupilová found herself in the spotlight thanks to her sixth place in her 200-metre freestyle round, which catapulted her to the finals in the evening. Improving her time by nine seconds, she ultimately finished fifth. Her time of 2:59.89 also means the national best and her personal best. “I am excited and I could not be more satisfied. Fifth place is beyond unexpected,” she commented, adding an observation regarding the atmosphere in the gigantic La Defense Arena. “I have never had a crowd this big, so it takes some getting used to,” the new record holder says. Two days later, competing at 100-metre freestyle, Koupilová made the finals again, ultimately finishing seventh with 1:28:30.