Slalom canoeist Jiří Prskavec eyes Olympic defence in Paris
Canoeist Jiří Prskavec is one of Czechia’s brightest medal hopes going into the Olympic Games in Paris. The kayak single specialist is current Olympic titleholder, a multiple world and European champion – and Czech number one in a sport in which the country traditionally does well.
Jiří Prskavec has actually been in Paris since the start of July and last Saturday had the honour of taking part in the Olympic torch relay at the Vaires-sur-Marne water sports stadium in the French capital. The canoeist says it was a moment to remember.
“It was quite an experience. I’d only ever seen the torch relay, either on TV or live. But I had never held the Olympic flame – the only one in the whole world – in my own hands. It was a lovely moment. I wasn’t there alone but with friends. And to take part with legends of our sport… I really appreciate that, and enjoyed it a lot.”
Jiří Prskavec has already done it all in canoe slalom, including taking gold in the last Olympics in Tokyo three years ago to add to the bronze medal he collected in Rio in 2016.
But at 31 he is still extremely motivated – and looking forward to performing in front of the crowds in Paris.
“I’m the kind of person who does sport for the big occasions. The atmosphere helps. When a race goes well in front of a large number of spectators, it means more than when you’re alone, like in Tokyo, for instance. And the Olympics are the pinnacle for our sport, because every four years we reach broader public recognition. The Games only come around a few times in one’s life – not many athletes are lucky enough to take part in more than two or three.”
After several weeks in the French capital, Prskavec has had a chance to become familiar with the Olympics course.
“The course in Paris is a little less difficult than most courses we’re used to from other international competitions. It’s quite similar to the ones we had in Tokyo and in Rio – that’s now a kind of Olympic standard. But it's also similar to the course we know at Troja in Prague, which is an advantage; it has gone well for us here from the start.”
So what would Prskavec consider a satisfactory result in Paris?
“For me success will be a run that I’m satisfied with. That has been my attitude ahead of each Olympic Games. Naturally I don’t know how the other competitors will perform. But if I produce a great run and finish fifth, I’ll be content. On the other hand, if I make some mistake but still come second, I’ll be annoyed with myself. So I don’t like to set medals targets; I far prefer personal ones.”
Jiří Prskavec should be in action next Tuesday, July 30.
