{"id":4471,"date":"2021-03-03T18:28:40","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T18:28:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biathlonnmnm.yashicadev.cz\/?p=4471"},"modified":"2021-03-04T07:53:25","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T07:53:25","slug":"two-weeks-of-biathlon-start-in-nove-mesto-na-morave-a-success-when-no-one-gets-down-with-covid-19-says-jiri-hamza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biathlonnmnm.yashicadev.cz\/en\/2021\/03\/03\/two-weeks-of-biathlon-start-in-nove-mesto-na-morave-a-success-when-no-one-gets-down-with-covid-19-says-jiri-hamza\/","title":{"rendered":"Two weeks of biathlon start in Nov\u00e9 M\u011bsto na Morav\u011b. \u201cA success? When no one gets down with Covid-19\u201d, says Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cWe organize biathlon events for the spectators, so we miss them a lot,\u201d says Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza, the President of Organizing Committee, and looks sadly around to see the empty stands of the Vyso\u010dina Arena. The pandemic situation with COVID-19 did not allow people in the stands and around the track once again, just like last year. The sadder it is as the schedule of the 8th<\/sup> and 9th<\/sup> round of the Biathlon World Cup is packed with eight individual races and four relay competitions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No place for fear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza is sorry that many people in Nov\u00e9 M\u011bsto na Morav\u011b and the surrounding towns and villages are afraid of the fact that biathlon races are taking place. \u201cI would like to assure everyone that biathlon is strict to itself. We had set strict rules even before the season started, and the bubble we thus created in World Cup and IBU Cup has been functional. All races from the international IBU calendar took place as planned,\u201d explains the man, who is also a vice-president of the International Biathlon Union. All athletes, coaches and other members of teams take Covid-19 PCR tests every three days. \u201cIt is actually much more likely that a biathlete would get infected here in the Czech Republic than that they would infect anyone here in the Vyso\u010dina region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Everyone\u2019s own responsibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Czech Republic is not in a good situation as far as the epidemic of COVID-19 is concerned. This is obvious in numbers published by the media, and the degree of stress that is growing constantly. Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza is convinced that the Czechs themselves are to blame for these problems. \u201cI do not want to be cheap but I do see two mistakes at least. We did not let experts deal with the situation, and we turned Covid-19 into a political issue. The second mistake is rooted in our national characteristics, the way we do things: we look at others and point out their mistakes rather than dealing with what is our own responsibility. We have to forget about getting around any regulations in force. We are in a vicious circle that can be resolved by adherence to strict rules, and vaccination, as I hope.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event organisation and tests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From the perspective of organizers, the situation is more favourable now. \u201cThe largest agenda is related to fans as around 30 thousand of them would come to see the races every day, and every single one of them needed a service. Today, the number is a few hundred people\u2026\u201d A few hundred people who are tested regularly, we need to say. \u201cTests take place regularly in the stadium area, at accreditation point, and in hotels, too,\u201d Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will the Czech team improve?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What would be an achievement in those two weeks in the Vyso\u010dina Ar\u00e9na? \u201cWell, when no one gets infected \u2013 individual teams, organizers or official jurors, that\u2019s for sure!\u201c And how about the sporting aspect? \u201eHonestly, this season is not the best by the national team. It will be dealt with after the season ends. Of course, Mark\u00e9ta Davidov\u00e1 is an exception, she has found her stable spot among the world\u2019s best. However, I would like to see other girls getting some progress, too! I also believe that Martin Kr\u010dm\u00e1\u0159 will race better; actually, he is stronger every day after having recovered from being sick.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talented youngsters make us happy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza is thrilled by results of Czech juniors at the World Championships in Obertilliach. \u201cI believe that they have not said the final word. Maybe they will even start here in the 9th<\/sup> round of the World Cup!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A good-bye to a legend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The two weeks at NMNM will have a rather nostalgic ending. Ond\u0159ej Moravec (36), the owner of nine medals from the Winter Olympics and World Championships and historically the best Czech male biathlete, has decided to end his racing career. \u201cOnd\u0159ej is a role model as far as diligence, dutifulness, devotion and professionalism are concerned. The job he has done for the sport is immense. He has become a living legend,\u201d Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza says about the native of Letohrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author: Tom\u00e1\u0161 Hermann
Photo: Petr Slav\u00edk<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cWe organize biathlon events for the spectators, so we miss them a lot,\u201d says Ji\u0159\u00ed Hamza, the President of Organizing Committee, and looks sadly around to see the empty stands of the Vyso\u010dina Arena. The pandemic situation with COVID-19 did not allow people in the stands and around the track once again, just like last […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n