Paris (from our correspondent) – Even before the start of the games in Paris, Petráček was the most successful Czech swimmer in the Paralympics. Now he shares the primacy with David Kratochvíl, who won three medals in France. So their collection is the same. One gold, one silver and one bronze.
“I’m already handing over the scepter to David. I’m proud of him. The future is on the right track,” Petráček praised his representative colleague. However, he also mentioned the other swimmers, most of them making it to the finals. The 33-year-old swimmer also considered this a success.
After all, the Czech expedition fished four valuable metals from the pool. That is half of the total profit. The archers took care of the other three medals, and table tennis player Suchánek took the silver.
However, Petráček’s path to the bronze medal was a bit complicated. Unlike the previous Paralympics, he only competed in one race in Paris. In addition, until the penultimate day of the games. At the same time, he arrived at the venue of the Paralympics with the swimming team even before it started. He waited over two weeks for his start.
“It was difficult to hold on, both mentally and physically. But the cards were dealt and we had to deal with it somehow,” said Petráček, adding that he went to the pool and gym every day. “And the race itself was great. The medal is worth the incredible work, not only by me and the coaches, but also by my family, friends and my fan club,” he added.
🥉 AND ONE MORE MEDAL! Thanks Árny, you’re a dude! 🇨🇿 #sportjejenomjeden #stejnialejini #Paris2024 #paralympics
Posted by Czech Paralympic team on Saturday, September 7, 2024
It was the fans who were heard. As Petráček stepped up to the blocks, loud Arna, Arna echoed through La Défense Arena. “I heard them even in the water,” chuckled the three-time Paralympic medalist. “Now I will go to a pub with them and my friends to celebrate the medal,” he added.
Petráček has a congenital defect of the upper and lower limbs. He was born without arm bones and with luxation of the knee joints. Nevertheless, he is one of the most famous Czech Paralympians. At the age of 33, he already knows that his career is coming to an end after all.
“In four years in Los Angeles, I would like to say goodbye to swimming,” he admitted. And what will happen then? “I will get a coaching license and I would like to teach children to swim. Now I have four years to build something for it, and then we’ll see,” outlined Petráček.
What achievements did Petráček and Kratochvíl accomplish at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris?
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Czech Paralympic Swimmers Shine in Paris: Petráček and Kratochvíl Make History
The 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris have come to a close, and the Czech Republic has much to celebrate. Among the country’s medal winners are two exceptional swimmers, Petráček and David Kratochvíl, who have made their mark on the Paralympic stage.
Petráček’s Journey to Bronze
Petráček, a 33-year-old swimmer with a congenital defect of the upper and lower limbs, has been the most successful Czech swimmer in the Paralympics until now. Despite facing a unique challenge in Paris, where he only competed in one race and had to wait over two weeks for his start, Petráček persevered and won a bronze medal [[1]]. “It was difficult to hold on, both mentally and physically. But the cards were dealt and we had to deal with it somehow,” he said.
Petráček’s dedication and hard work paid off, not only for himself but also for his family, friends, and fan club. As he stepped up to the blocks, loud cheers of “Arna, Arna” echoed through La Défense Arena, and he heard them even in the water [[1]]. After the race, he expressed his gratitude to his fans, saying, “I will go to a pub with them and my friends to celebrate the medal.”
Kratochvíl’s Breakthrough
David Kratochvíl, a blind teenage swimmer, has emerged as a rising star in the Paralympic world. At just 17 years old, he won three medals in Paris, including one gold, one silver, and one bronze [[1]]. This impressive feat puts him on par with Petráček, and the two now share the title of most successful Czech swimmer in the Paralympics.
Czech Paralympic Team’s Success
The Czech expedition to the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris has been a resounding success, with the country’s athletes winning a total of seven medals. In addition to Petráček’s bronze and Kratochvíl’s three medals, the archers took care of three medals, and table tennis player Suchánek won a silver [[1]].
Czech Paralympic Committee
The Czech Paralympic Committee, located in Prague, is responsible for overseeing and supporting the country’s Paralympic athletes [[3]]. As the governing body for Paralympic sports in the Czech Republic, it plays a crucial role in promoting and developing Paralympic sports in the country.
Looking Ahead
As the curtain closes on the 2024 Summer Paralympics, the Czech Republic can take pride in its athletes’ outstanding achievements. Petráček and Kratochvíl’s success is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and perseverance. As the country looks ahead to future Paralympic games, it’s clear that the Czech Paralympic Committee will continue to play a vital role in nurturing and supporting its talented athletes.
References:
[[1]]https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/trust-tappers-blind-teenage-swimmer-david-kratochvl-czech-113091826
[[2]]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CzechRepublicatthe2024SummerParalympics
[[3]] https://www.paralympic.org/czechia
Czech Paralympian Arnošt Petráček Shares Primacy with David Kratochvíl after Paris Games
The XVII Paralympic Games in Paris have come to a close, and Czech swimmer Arnošt Petráček has added another bronze medal to his collection [[1]]. This achievement shares the primacy with David Kratochvíl, who won three medals in France, making their medal count equal. Petráček now has one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, cementing his position as one of the most successful Czech swimmers in the Paralympics.
Petráček’s path to the bronze medal was not without its challenges. Unlike previous Paralympics, he only competed in one race in Paris, and he had to wait over two weeks for his start. However, he remained focused and motivated, attending the pool and gym every day. “It was difficult to hold on, both mentally and physically. But the cards were dealt and we had to deal with it somehow,” Petráček said. The hard work paid off, as he proved with his impressive performance in the race.
The Czech expedition was successful with four valuable metals won in the pool, which is half of the total profit. Archers took care of the other three medals, and table tennis player Suchánek won a silver medal. Petráček was proud of his fellow swimmers, most of whom made it to the finals, and considered this a success.
The swimmer, who was born without arm bones and with luxation of the knee joints, has overcome numerous obstacles to achieve greatness in his sport. At 33, he knows that his career is coming to an end, but he remains proud of his accomplishments. Petráček is a three-time Paralympic medalist and has broken several world and European records [[2]].
Petráček’s fans, who were loud and vocal throughout the games, were thrilled with his performance. As he stepped up to the blocks, “Arno, Arno” echoed through La Défense Arena, and he could even hear them while in the water. “Now I will go to a pub with them and my friends to celebrate the medal,” he said.
In an interview, Petráček shared his thoughts on his experience in Paris, saying that he was already handing over the scepter to David Kratochvíl, who is the future of Czech swimming [[3]]. He praised his colleague, saying, “I’m proud of him. The future is on the right track.”
As Petráček’s career winds down, he looks back on his accomplishments with pride. He is a true inspiration to many, and his determination and perseverance in the face of adversity are a testament to the power of the human spirit.
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