Speed skater Nikola Zdráhalová took ninth place in the 1500 meters at the Calgary World Cup. The 25-year-old Czech national team set a fast time of 1: 53.897, which was about four tenths of a second behind her week-old personal record from Salt Lake City.
Martina Sáblíková did not enter the race, reaching the podium for the first time this season at 3,000 m on Friday. “The reason is the internal problems within our small union escalating during the qualifying races. I’m sorry that some people don’t respect fair play or team values. To the detriment of us all and our beautiful sport. I’m still struggling with that, but I want to exhale and compare everything in your head, “said the three-time Olympic winner Sáblíková on Facebook without further details.
This season, the 34-year-old Czech national team member competed in the World Championships at the 15th only in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland, where she took the last 19th place. Theoretically, it should fall to Division B. In Calgary, 18-year-old Zuzana Kuršová is registered in the “béčka” for the Czech Republic.
Marcela Bradová, chairwoman of the Czech Speed Skating Association, told ČTK that she did not have information about possible problems in Calgary. “I guess it’s best to contact her manager, Mr. Trávníček. All I know is that she had health problems. I wasn’t told more,” Brad said.
In recent days, Zdráhalová has created personal highs in Calgary on the 500, 1000 and 3000 meters. The program in Canada will end with a race with a mass start.
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