Daily news summary
Freedom Celebrations end in Pilsen on Sunday
Freedom Celebrations in the west Bohemian town of Pilsen, marking the end of WWII, will come to a close on Sunday night with a huge open air concert at the city centre. Hundreds of people turned up during the day to greet an unofficial convoy of 80 historical military vehicles. On Saturday, thousands of people came to see the official military convoy, called A Ride of Freedom, carrying war veterans who helped to liberate the city 71 years ago.
President Zeman appoints new generals
Czech President Miloš Zeman appointed five new army generals on Sunday, on the occasion of Liberation Day. The new generals include the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Josef Bečvář, the head of the rescue service, Drahoslav Ryba, police president Tomáš Tuhý, and the head of the Office for Protection of Public Officials, Jiří Komorous. The ceremony took place at Prague Castle.
Czech parliament holds open day on Sunday
The Czech parliament is holding an open day on Sunday, which is the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe and a state holiday in the Czech Republic. People can visit the government's Liechtenstein palace on Kampa Island, as well as the seat of the Senate in the Kolowrat and Wallenstenin palaces at Prague's district of Malá Strana. On Saturday, people had a rare chance to visit the Černín Palace, which is the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Czech Republic marks 71st anniversary of the end of World War II
A number of memorial events took place on Sunday across the Czech Republic to mark the 71st anniversary of the end of World War II. The main ceremonies were traditionally held in Prague and in the west Bohemian town of Pilsen, which was liberated by US Army. President Miloš Zeman and prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, along with Cardinal Dominik Duka and other politicans and military officials attended a ceremony at Prague's Vítkov memorial and laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Two gripen fighter jets flew over the memorial to mark the national holiday.
Czech Republic beats Latvia 4-3 in second game of Ice Hockey World Championhsip
The Czech Republic beat Latvia 4-3 in their second game of the Ice Hockey World Championship in Moscow on Saturday. Tomáš Plekanec scored twice in the first period, giving the Czechs a 2-0 lead, but Latvia levelled with goals by Roberts Bukarts and Zemgus Girgensons. With just over two minutes left, Mikelis Redlihs put Latvia into the lead, but Michal Řepík levelled just 59 seconds before the end of the third period. After a goalless overtime, Lukáš Kašpar scored the only goal of the shootout, securing the Czech Republic's lead in Group A.
Czechs take two bronze medals at European Rowing Championship
Czech athletes took two bronze medals at the European Rowing Championship in Brandenburg, Germany. Ondřej Synek came third in the men's single sculls event; Lenka Antošová and Kristýna Fleissnerová earned a bronze medal in the women'sdouble skulls. Fire-time European champion Miroslava Topinková-Knapková finished in the sixth place.
Kenyan Lawrence Cherono wins Prague marathon
The winner of the 2016 Prague Marathon is Lawrence Cherono from Kenya, who covered the distance with the time of 2:07:24, 50 seconds ahead of last year's champion Felix Kandie, who came in second. Another Kenyan, Solomon Kirwa Yego, finished in the third place. The fastest Czech woman in the race, cross country skier Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová, finished in the sixth place with the time of 2:30:10, and met the qualification limit for the Olympic Games. Some 10,600 participants from around the world took part in the 22nd edition of Prague Marathon.
