Sports News

Czechs take three golds at the kayak slalom World Cup in Prague; goaltender Dominik Hasek is close to singing a new contract with Detroit Red Wings while his brother, footballer Martin Hasek, is retiring. Midfielder Vladimir Smicer is likely to sign with Slavia Prague as well as start his new TV career. Cyclist Pavel Padrnos will not be taking part in this year's Tour de France, while in athletics, Katerina Badurova overcomes the Czech pole vault record at the Golden Spike in Ostrava.

Czechs take three golds at the Kayak Slalom World Cup in Prague

Stepanka Hilgertova, photo: CTK

The Kayak Slalom Racing World Cup has been taking place at Troja in Prague, and Czech fans have had a great deal to celebrate. Veteran Stepanka Hilgertova took gold on Saturday, as did Stanislav Jezek. On Sunday their success was matched by kayaker Vavrinec Hradilek, who is a mere 20 years old and was making his debut in the Czech national team. Stepanka Hilgertova's son Lubos Hilgert, a year older than Hradilek, came fourth in Sunday's race. The three Czech golds make the weekend's slalom world cup the best ever for the Czech Republic.

Dominik Hasek to sign new contract with Detroit

Czech ice hockey great Dominik Hasek, who is 42, is said to be close to signing a new one-year contract with NHL club Detroit Red Wings. The hugely experienced goaltender says he will retire if a new deal with Detroit does not materialise.

Footballer Martin Hasek retiring

The Dominator's younger brother Martin Hasek has retired; the football defender is hanging up his boots at the age of 37. Hasek, whose last club Pribram were relegated, will be assistant coach of Sparta Prague's B team, who are in the Czech third division.

Vladimir Smicer coming back to play, and comment on football

Vladimir Smicer, photo: CTK

Vladimir Smicer, who is 34, hasn't retired but he may be already looking ahead to a future career. The midfielder, who is "90 percent likely" to sign with his old club Slavia Prague after a decade overseas, is set to co-commentate on some English Premier League games for Czech station TV Prima.

Cyclist Pavel Padrnos not touring France this year

Pavel Padrnos, photo: CTK

This year's Tour de France gets underway in London on Saturday, but Czech cyclist Pavel Padrnos will not be taking part. He has been demoted to substitute by the Discovery Channel team, and will only feature if another rider has to drop out. Padrnos, who is 36, previously spent six seasons with the team US Postal and helped Lance Armstrong to four of his Tour de France wins.

Crowds cheer pole-vaulter Badurova in Ostrava as she breaks record

Katerina Badurova, photo: CTK

Czech athlete Katerina Badurova received a greater ovation than winner Yelena Isinbayeva when she set a new Czech pole vault record at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava last week. Badurova, a native of the north Moravian city, overcame Pavla Rybova's Czech record with a height of 466 cm. Her partner, the Czech high jumper Tomas Janu, was competing in Ostrava at the same time; he said it was hard to concentrate on his own event while Badurova was making history elsewhere in the stadium.