Czech speed skater Lukáš Steklý Source: olympijskytym.cz
PRAGUE – Czech speed skating has lost one of the greatest talents of recent years. Last year’s junior world champion Lukáš Steklý decided to represent Slovakia.
It was presented in new colors already in the pre-season control race in Inzella. In an interview with ČTK, he cited long-term problems in communication with the Czech Speed Skating Association as the reason for the change. ČTK is investigating the statement of the union.
“It’s basically simple. There have been problems with the Czech federation for a long time and they’ve been throwing logs under my feet ever since I left Martina Sáblíková’s team. It only peaked a season after I became world champion, when they didn’t want me go to the senior World Cup with my coach,” wrote Steklý ČTK.
According to him, the last “drop” was when he learned that the representatives of the union started to arrange visas for him to race in Asia on the day when the other representatives were already flying to the destination of the race.
“After all this, I decided that it won’t go on like this and it’s time for a change. Slovakia was the easiest and fastest option. At least they respect me a little there.” said last year’s world champion in mass start races.
The 21-year-old speed skater is preparing under the guidance of his mother, Libuše, who had disputes with the union in previous years. The head of the Hodonín Sports Skating Club also filed a criminal complaint against Sáblíková’s coach, Petr Novák, due to the fact that Czechoslovakia billed inflated costs for the concentration of athletes in the Italian Collalbo in 2019 and 2020.
The audit of the National Sports Agency subsequently confirmed the irregularities and the union had to return part of the subsidy, but according to the police investigation, Novák did not commit a crime and the case was postponed.
Steklý now wants to qualify for the senior World Cup and next season try to win participation in the Olympic Games in 2026.
- Author: © List/
- Source: CTK
