He had a fantastic profession, on the Sydney Olympics in 2000 he hung a bronze medal round his neck. Every thing regarded promising. Nonetheless, Jan Řehul’s well being stopped him. In February 2001, he was severely injured and underwent three surgical procedures. “I had an enormous query mark in my head if I used to be going to proceed,” he remembers. The sensation of freedom that triathlon offers him, nonetheless, saved him within the sport, and he’s nonetheless passing on his expertise to Pilsen hopefuls. He additionally led the East Bohemian expedition as a flag bearer on the ceremonial opening of this yr’s Kids and Youth Olympics.
“Triathlon combines three components. There may be water, air and earth, which I discover superb. An individual detaches a bit, will get to know himself and merges with nature,” these are the sentiments that come to thoughts for Řehul when the subject turns to his favourite sport. He has grown keen on it a very long time in the past, which is why he results in the XI. Olympiad for kids and youth triathletes.
In 2016, he based a triathlon academy in Pilsen with the purpose of nurturing new skills. He gathered coaching expertise not solely at dwelling, but additionally overseas. Up to now, he labored for the Australian nationwide staff or led the South Korean nationwide staff.
“Australia has an incredible stage. You begin with rivals of world-class parameters.” He explains the variety of nice athletes within the opposition because of the reputation of this sport and the best climate. “In Australia, it is heat all yr spherical, so that you’re inexperienced in preparation. Within the Czech Republic, the winter slows you down, following which the dearth of coaching hours has to catch up.”
In response to Jan Řehula, triathlon is turning into increasingly well-liked within the Czech Republic. “Amongst my present fees I observe the very best morale in historical past. We’re a robust staff with ambitions for fulfillment on a European scale.” Nonetheless, the extent of Czech triathlon is declining.
2 Minutes of studying, 06/24/2024
“It is a disgrace that we’re shedding some skills as a result of they need to go into the work course of and sport goes by the wayside at that second.” The traditionally most profitable Czech triathlete skilled the identical scenario at dwelling. His son Jakub received gold on the Kids’s and Youth Olympics in 2015, however later prioritized his research. “Jakub continues to be concerned in varied sports activities, however he’s an instance of how ODM will be the tip of a profession for some athletes. Generally, nonetheless, it’s somewhat the opposite manner round.”
Jan Řehula additionally conjures up his college students together with his personal story. He skilled a number of comebacks throughout his skilled profession. However he by no means gave up. “In 1997, I had a foul bike accident and considered wrapping up my racing profession. I even complained to my grandfather that I might not eliminate the abrasions even following just a few weeks, however he actually did not really feel sorry for me. Quite the opposite, he solely uttered one sentence that I nonetheless have in my head to today: Younger man, you went to battle, so look to struggle. In that second I used to be clear.’
1 minute studying, 06/23/2024
Writer: Ludmila Kozlova
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