Silver Family

of the Czech and Global

Sports Scenes

Ostrava’s Golden Spike is among the most important events

held in Czechia and is one of the oldest athletic competitions in

Europe. The world’s best athletes participate exclusively through

the organizer’s invitation. Jan Železný has won the competition

nine times in the past and now serves as its director. We were

given the unique opportunity to ask him a couple questions.

What three words would you use to

describe the Golden Spike?

I believe that three words is too little

for such an event, however, I would

describe it as an intense and emotional

show of athletic prowess supplemented

with an unforgettable atmosphere. It

is a unique spectacle with captivating

energy.

are all planned to take place consecutively,

meaning that throughout the season,

athletes continuously move from one

end of the world to the other; depending

on their performance at one event, they

Could you imagine a world where

the Golden Spike would be held in

a different city, or do you think that it has

become inextricably linked with Ostrava?

Ostrava is a city like no other. Of course,

anything is possible, who knows? However,

Ostrava’s synergy of having a great stadium

in close proximity to a magnificent hotel,

an experienced team of professionals with

lots of passion and the support of many

partners is not easy to replace.

What is your vision for the future?

Are you planning any organizational,

financial or perhaps staff changes?

This project is indisputably included among

the ‘silver family’ of the Czech and global

sports scenes. The World Athletics Federation

awarded it the title of World Athletic Heritage

and it has been ongoing for the past sixty-one

years. In 2020, Golden Spike Ostrava became

one of only ten athletic events in the entire

world to be included on the Continental Tour

Would you reveal to our readers this

year’s most famous participants or

events we might look forward to?

You can be excited to see the best Czech

athletes duke it out with the global elite.

Personally, I will, needless to say, be

looking forward to the javelin competition,

however, I cannot reveal the stars’ names

just yet.

What is the most difficult aspect

of organizing an event like this?

Athletic competitions are generally

some of the most complicated when

it comes to organization, as you have

to account for many variables. For

example, accommodating dozens of

different disciplines, each one having its

own requirements, within a single area

happening in sequence. Everyone has

to be well tuned to perform, and this is

applicable not only to the athletes but

also the organizational and production

teams, including our partners and external

suppliers. The entire event needs to work

like a well-oiled machine in order for it

to be a great experience for the athletes

and their spectators. This requires a wellcoordinated team covering many different

fields; on event day, this includes dozens

of people! Additionally, you need to

transport a lot of people from around

the world along with their teams, give

them lodging and offer them top class

services. Events such as the Golden Spike

might have to reschedule entirely, which

might cause you to have to do the same,

and this one change can end up being

very significant.

Conversely, in terms of organization,

what gives you the most joy?

The fact that we, at the Golden Spike,

are able to manage all of these moving

parts nearly perfectly. The team has

a lot of experience, one generation is

followed by the next, and experience

is well intertwined with the enthusiasm of

newer members. All of this leads to a great

atmosphere among the teams which then

spreads to our guests, the best athletes

from all over the world. This is also one

of the reasons why these athletes like

to return to Ostrava and would like to

continue doing so.

Gold. Our legacy is therefore magnificent,

inspiring and we have a duty to honor it. Our

history is one we should use to learn from,

however, we must not get lost in it. Our goal

is to maintain the Golden Spike’s position at

the peak, develop our prized tradition, go

with the times and maintain good financial

and human resources to make it all happen.

What message would you like to leave

local spectators with?

That I am excited to see them all again so

that we can meet at the stadium, drink

some beer, make some noise and have

goosebumps at the athletes’ performance.

I believe that we will all be able to cheer

in a packed stadium without the need for

masks.

Mr Železný, thank you for the interview.

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