Paralympic swimmer David Kratochvíl wins second medal in Paris

Blind teenage swimmer David Kratochvíl won silver in the 100 mark at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Sunday. It is the 16-year-old’s second medal in his third start at the Games. On Friday he won Czechia’s first gold in the 400m breaststroke.

The 16-year-old Kratochvil used to play ice hockey until losing his sight because of a serious illness about 10 years ago. His decision to switch from the ice rink to the swimming pool has proved the right one.

Kratochvil set world records in 50 and 200 meter backstroke last year 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, Kratochvil was named the best Czech Paralympic athlete for 2023.