A star is coming out, foreign media announced when Methodius Jílek a week ago he dominated the 10 kilometer race in Heerenveen and won the World Cup for the first time in his career. Now the talented speed skater has followed up his life’s success. He clearly reigned supreme in Hamar.
“A week ago I won for the first time in the World Cup, now I won for the first time in the top five. It’s the next step I’ve reached. It’s a milestone I’ll remember. It’s a great feeling,” beamed Jílek.
And on top of that, he broke the track record of the phenomenal Sven Kremer, an eight-time Olympic medalist (of which four golds). When the legendary Dutchman set him sixteen years ago, Jílek was only three years old.
The goal is an Olympic medal
“Before, I saw him skating on YouTube videos, not live. I wasn’t into speed skating then,” recounted the 19-year-old champion and world record holder among juniors. “It’s a very nice feeling to break a track record that has stood for so long. It means a lot to me,” he confided.
Jílek is curling only in his second season among adults and already has two golds. At the same time, he already shocked with bronze from the World Championship last year. By the way, he won the medal as the first ever Czech speed skater in history.
The extreme talent is aiming for the Olympics in Italy, where it will be farewell to the career of the legendary Sáblíková. Less than two months remain until the start of the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. “It’s the Olympic season, so everyone is in very good shape. I’m happy for that and it confirms the form. If I keep training like this, maybe it will be confirmed at the Olympics as well,” Jílek wished.
Photo gallery: Speed skater Metoděj Jílek
“An Olympic medal is the biggest dream, every athlete will tell you that. It’s not a special wish, but I’d like to have it. And not just one. I’ll do everything for it and it’s not unrealistic,” promised the quiet young man, who made his way among the speed skating stars. However, he does not feel like an intruder.
“Everyone around is friendly, they cheered for me. I made a lot of good friends. Normally we talk and say hello, so everything is fine,” he admitted in one of the interviews.
