Antonie Galušková, student of the Aircraft Maintenance Technology programme at the Faculty of Transportation Sciences
Your father introduced you to water slalom. What brought you to CTU and aircraft maintenance?
- I was more of a technical type since I was a kid and I was always interested in transport. I found my way to airplanes around the age of 17, when I also decided to study at the Faculty of Transportation Sciences.
Do you want to pursue this field when you're done with your sports career?
- I would like to work with aircraft after my career in sports. Either as a transport pilot or as an aircraft mechanic.
How does Paris feel? Did anything surprise you there, either pleasantly or unpleasantly?
- I was pleasantly surprised. They have it nicely organized and take lovely care of us.
Anežka Paloudová, recent graduate and becoming PhD student at Faculty of Civil Engineering
How does the Olympic atmosphere and Paris in general affect you?
- The atmosphere of the Olympics is weighing on me, but so far quite positively. I'm curious to see how I will experience the race with all the spectators.
Our venue is located northeast of Paris, so I haven't soaked up the city environment much yet. I hope to have time to do so at least after my competitions, when I would like to explore the Olympic Village and the Czech House.
What surprised you pleasantly/unpleasantly in Paris?
- I've been in Paris for a short time so far and I've practically only visited my racetrack. I was surprised by the capacity and the roar of the stands, which can hold 22,000 spectators and are completely sold out. I am curious to see what the experience of the race will be like with such a backdrop.
Do you have extra Olympic anxiety before your start?
- My first race is tomorrow. I'm curious about it, but I'm not experiencing too much nervousness (yet), which might change as the start approaches.
What will be your main focus as a PhD student at the CTU?
- My doctoral studies, under the supervision of doc. Mužík, will take place at the Department of Urban Planning with a focus on areas for sport and recreation in settlements and landscapes.
Vít Hlaváč, PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Faculty of Biomedical Engineering
How does the Olympic atmosphere in Paris affect you?
- The atmosphere in Paris is amazing, even more so in contrast to my previous Olympic participation in Tokyo/Sapporo, where we were completely isolated and out of the village, the fans were scarce... Here it's something completely different, the village is full of athletes, we meet and support each other in the Czech team, I had the opportunity to visit the Czech House and experience the amazing atmosphere there with the fans. The atmosphere at the races is a chapter in itself: the race in front of the Eiffel Tower, the track absolutely packed with fans and an incredible cauldron of fans. Racing here was an unforgettable experience.
What surprised you pleasantly/unpleasantly?
- I would highlight the atmosphere wherever I've been in Paris, I can't mention anything negative so far.
How do you feel after not finishing the relay with respect to your fellow competitors?
- Although the overall result is a DNF, i.e. an unfinished race, I am satisfied with my performance. I came to the Olympics well prepared and I performed very well in my legs of the walking relay, even setting unofficial personal bests in the first leg for both 5 and 10 kilometres. My race partner also came well prepared, but unfortunately her health betrayed her after she had completed her individual start in the walking 20 a week ago. Her body had said enough and it was unnecessary for her to finish the race at the expense of her health. She fought on anyway, and because of that I was able to leave my two legs and race under the Olympic rings with the best of the best.
What's the next race you have coming up?
- This year's season is coming to an end, but I still have one more crucial race ahead of me, the Czech 35km walking championships in October. It's my strongest discipline and I'm looking forward to its return next year for the World Championships in Tokyo, where I'd like to qualify.
Photo courtesy of: ČAS/Soňa Maléterová
Dominika Hronová, recent graduate and becoming PhD student at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering
You arrived in Paris three days before your start, what did you manage to see and how does the Olympic atmosphere affect you?
- Before the start I was more focused on getting in the mood and feeling the atmosphere. So I was more exploring the Olympic Village and focusing on training. But on Tuesday night we had time to watch the athletics and support Radek Juška in the final. The atmosphere is great at all the venues as well here in the village.
How did Paris surprise you pleasantly/unpleasantly?
- So far, I guess I've just been pleasantly surprised by all the service we have here. It's great that the organizers have thought of everything.
The Czech taekwondo team was successful at the European Games in Krakow, you yourself won bronze. However, at the Olympic Games you are competing in a different weight category. Did any extra Olympic anxiety get to you?
- Surprisingly, the stage fright didn't affect me that much. I didn't go to the Olympics as a favourite for a medal, so I didn't feel any pressure. I wanted to do my best for myself, and I think I did.
You are a recent graduate of FBMI with a major in Civil Emergency Planning. Why did you choose this particular program and what exactly do you plan to pursue in your doctoral studies?
- I've always been drawn towards crisis planning, mainly because it's a combination of both law and psychology, among other things. I considered law and psychology when choosing a university, but dropped it for sports. Among other things, I am also interested in crime issues, which is why I will be focusing on social pathologies in penal institutions for my PhD.
