News

Sunday is the 70th anniversary of the death of the renowned soldier and writer Rudolf Medek. Medek was an officer in the Czechoslovak Legions in Russia during World War I, and became well known thanks to his stories set against that backdrop. He fought in the Battle of Zborov in 1917 and later negotiated with both the Russians and the Western Allies before organising the return of the legionnaires to the newly founded Czechoslovakia. His novels were banned by both the Nazis and the Communists.

A ceremony was held at the Czech Radio building in Prague on Saturday honouring the victims of the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia on August 21, 1968. Warsaw Pact troops had entered the country during the previous night, halting the liberalisation reforms of the Prague Spring. Speaking at Saturday’s memorial ceremony, the chairman of the Senate, Přemysl Sobotka, paid tribute to the Czechoslovak Radio journalists who had kept the public informed about the invasion; he said that listeners did not hear the truth again until 21 years later, when the communist regime fell. Over 100 people were killed in the violence that followed the occupation. The greatest losses were recorded at the Czech Radio building on Vinohradská St, which had become a rallying point for resistance.

Three people were injured when the car they were driving in was hit by a train at a level crossing near Hradec Králové in east Bohemia on Saturday. One of the three is in a serious condition, a spokesman for Czech Railways told reporters. The level crossing did not have gates, but a system of traffic lights was working at the time of the collision, he said. Such accidents are not uncommon in the Czech Republic. Last month five people died in 15 collisions at level crossings around the country.

Tomáš Ujfaluši has ruled out returning to the Czech football squad. The defender, who is 32, captained the team before quitting international soccer after being criticised for going out drinking after a game. The Czechs’ team manager Vladimír Šmicer recently asked Ujfaluši to reconsider his decision to retire, and there were press reports that he could make a comeback. However, the Atletico Madrid player has scotched that suggestion, telling reporters he had not given the matter any thought. The Czech team have largely failed to impress since Michal Bílek was appointed trainer last October. Their campaign to reach the 2012 European Championship begins in a few weeks’ time.