The sixth ring

For many olympic  began way sooner than on friday 27th July. Seeing all the advertisemeents with Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Roger Federer and other world wide sport stars made many people who are not interested in sport quite tired.

Passing citylight vitrine from McYellow butt attacted also my attention:
"Olympic glass Coca-Cola, with wristband. Free with every menu!.....get whole collection!"
Black, yellow, blue, red and green! and white! White?

They don`t know there`s only five olympic rings? Maybe the colour of the flag, hmm.


And than it has finally began.
Spectacular, yet so touching opening ceremony.
Shooting, basketball, badminton, swimming, gymnastic, fencing and finally!
Finally CANOE SLALOM!!!

Fantastic venue, great atmosphere (thank you Jonathan Edwards!), and top athetes of this sport. Though I couldn`t stop thinking about many more fantastic paddlers sitting at home....
It was a great experience seeing the calm man wining his third gold. Sadness of bronze holder. Great performance from young silver man.
Next day became show performed by our exhibicionist - kayakers! Which I enjoyed very much. We have seen muscles, happines and beautiful white smile and again something more.
GB one man show, though there were four musketeers. Sad twins. Sad Frenchs. But not for long. And balley at the end. Not so many mistakes as I expected after 2008. Battle of generations and admirables performances.
And again something more...

 

  

 

Between tears which came from knowing very well how hard everyone worked to get there yet valuing friendship more than medals, I have seen THE white ring.
Thanks EVERYBODY for showing the world that this sport is worth to be part of olympic family.

...


and have fun!

 

 

Several outsights

I won a battle in a big fight yesterday and realized how much I have learned over the years spended in paddling family.

Inspired by Kate, would like to share several outsight:


The family atmosphere of frendship, which is in paddling is simply unique. We all are part of it and all of us are making it. Great!

-there is no warm hug from rival (from anybody!) when you screw it up; thank you Sarah, Claudia, Jacqui, Angi, Verča, Irča, Carole, Jenny, Mathilde, Rosalyn and many others for making the difference
-there is no cheering up from member of different team or even from member of your team, bcs everyone is busy with his problems; thank you Ettore, Cathy, Thomas, Shaun, Yves, Jean-yves, Scott, James and many others for making the difference
- there is no free help offered at all, thank you Tim, Etiene, Huw, Richard, GB team trailer, Jorg, Annet street gang, Kayak Vavrovo, Nouria, Alberto and many others for making the difference
- there is not much of everyday joy and happines, thank you brasilien chicos and many others for making the difference
- there are no judges and some people simply dont play fair game, thanks to everybody for making the difference
- there are no warm and nice word or even "Hi" from people who were more succesfull than you are, thank you Elena, Jana, Connie, Peter, Daniele, Tony, Hochschorners, David, Robin, Mandy, Richard and the others for making the difference

Yet this doesnt mean Im not happy with my decision to quit. Under circumstances, I still dont know exact answer on question which Ettore gave me in February, when I told him that one way or another my body says that 2012 is my last year being top athlet.

"What will you do when you stop with paddling?"

But what I know most certainly is: I will NEVER STOP paddling.
I will just slow down a bit and use my eyes instead of muscles.

Looking forward to see those, who were more lucky in the selection roulette!
GOOD VIBES to all of you!

Marie Sehnalova
formerly (long time ago) known as a "big CZ hope" Marie Rihoskova :-D

PS: if your name isnt written here it doesnt mean that I do not value your presence

Brasil

We have chosen Brasil for training camp 2012.

For many reasons, but one of the most important were our happy memories from 2007.

Still reality exceeded my expectations.

5 weeks seems to be quite long time, yet it has run really quickly and we are going home ...

When Vasek first told me that we will stay with Brasilians, I thought we are going to help Ettore with some kids or advanced paddlers, having just a foggy memory about Poli from Peking 2008....

I was just a little bit mistaken .-)

These chicos are joung (especially compare to CZE team) but most of them are better paddler than me recently and if not they soon will. Yet they have a lot to learn still, they have one great advantage; time.

At least four more years.

Im not going to describe them one by one, I just want to summarize what I have learnt or seen here:

• tranquilo
• selfconfidence without necessarily having nose up
• morning samba before race
• to change boat (producer and type) at qualifications day and win race
• teamspirit
• the bussinging after race
• training results with drawed course which we did that session
• if you have birthday, celebrate them
• Sandra, adoptive mother for everybody
  
• Brasil es un pais muito bonito

 

And what have I tried to show (some of) them:

• PVC, polyester, epoxy, fiberglas, carbon, kevlar and other materials are not biodegradable
• boat and paddle cover are great things
• sun is no good for any of your equipment, ecpecially brand new boats, carbon paddles and lifejackets
• do not use grinder infront of open window to someones bedroom
• measure twice, then draw it, then check it again and then drill
• its good to have tool ready before you start work
• its not good to use grinder in your team suit
• its good to have handshoes when working with epoxy
• its good to cut carbon or glass pieces before your hands are dirty from polyester
• mais de adhesivo doesnt mean better fixation
• siempre fechar cola! its not good to breath it

And the most important:

O V E R A L L ! ! !

See you soon in Europe, guys. 

My first blog

Over past few months I have been thinking a lot about wild water slalom paddling.
There are many interesting stories and people around which have inspired me in my life. I would like to share those stories, maybe it inspires you aswell.

If for nothing else, it should help me to not talk so much, once I meet you again and listen more, maybe for another story.

Welcome at my blog.