Czech teenage swimmer Kratochvíl wins two medals at Paris Paralympics
The Czech Paralympic team has already secured five medals at the Games in Paris. So far the most successful Czech athlete is the blind teenage swimmer David Kratochvíl, who clinched the country’s first gold in the 400m breaststroke and added silver in the 100 mark.
“It's a divine feeling and it's great to enjoy it on stage. It's an unforgettable experience, I wish everyone could experience it!”
This is how David Kratochvíl described his feelings to a Czech Radio reporter after securing the first gold for the Czech Paralympic team in Paris in Friday’s 400 metres breaststroke.
Kratochvíl, who is only 16, used to play ice hockey until losing his sight due to a serious illness about a decade ago. While it took David and his family some time to learn to live with the disability, he says sports have been central in his life:
“We are a hockey family, or at least we used to be. But when I went blind after my illness, we were looking for a sport that I could do individually and I chose swimming. I've been doing it for ten years and now I'm a Paralympic champion, so it's amazing.”
In 2023, Kratochvíl set world records in 50 and 200 meter backstroke and went on to win his first gold medal at the para swimming world championships in Manchester, England, in the 400-meter freestyle race. Earlier this year, he was named the best Czech Paralympic athlete for 2023.
Despite his youth, he had already qualified for the previous Paralympics in Tokyo but chose to withdraw, giving his 58-year-old colleague a chance to compete in the games, as it was most probably his last opportunity. His selfless act earned him an award from the Czech Fair Play Committee.
Kratochvíl is accompanied to every race by his mother and father, who stand at both ends of the pools, serving as his tapers. Using poles with soft tipped ends, they let him know he is approaching the end of the pool and that it’s time to turn.
The Czech swimmer celebrated his second Paralympic medal in Paris not only with his family, but also with his favourite food:
“I have already got myself a double cheeseburger. I'll eat it on the bus. I'm really looking forward to it. And I'll have some dessert. It's going to be great, because I have Monday off, so I'm going to rest and then we are going to move on!"
The talented teenager could secure even more medals for the Czech Paralympic team. On Tuesday he will compete in the 200m positional race and on Thursday and Friday he will appear in the 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.
