From Diligent Effort to Global Success
STYLE INTERVIEW
www.posiv.cz 65
spectacle is "theirs". Competition amongst the world's
meetings is fierce. Our responsibility, for example,
also includes the attractiveness of the TV coverage.
Showcasing the fantastic performances of the athletes
needs to be supported by technological facilities, for
example also the stadium itself would need a breath
of fresh air. Its reconstruction took place almost ten
years ago. And it's used by two sports intensively. Even
the care of the spectator and the fan takes its toll.
It's simply important, but also very challenging to
keep up with the best in terms of financial security.
There is a difference between material security even
in Poland, let alone in Zurich, Brussels or Lausanne.
Ostrava still wins with its humanity, cosiness and
organisational professionalism, but it could certainly
do with a step up in the meeting facilities.
What does it take to bring world athletic stars, such
as Armand Duplantis, to the Golden Spike in Ostrava?
Alfonz Juck: It's a long-term tedious labour, contacts
with the world's leading managers and athletes
directly. You constantly have to keep your finger on
the pulse of events, communicate throughout the year
and maintain "hotlines". It's always about the plan,
who we would like to bring to Ostrava for the year. It's
about the dates, the programme of disciplines, which
is created practically right after the end of the current
year. Then, when we are at the stage of confirming
the start, economic issues and other details have to be
settled. In the case of Duplantis, for example, whether
the poles can be transported. Many other details
that need to be addressed. From the announcement
of the athlete's participation to their departure from
Ostrava, it can take several months. It is a long-term
job with many variables.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Text: redakce
Foto: Zlatá tretra
Jaroslav Jílek, Jakub Vadlejch, Jan Železný, Vítězslav Veselý, Petr Frydrych