MILAN – Three-time Olympic champion Martina Sáblíková will not participate in today’s 3,000-meter speed skater race at the Milan Games due to illness. Journalists were informed about this by representatives of the Czech Olympic Committee.
“I can hardly breathe, I have a temperature, so unfortunately I was advised not to go to the start today,” said the 38-year-old Sáblíková in a recording for the media. “The hardest sporting decision of my life. Huge helplessness, disappointment and heartbreak. I apologize to everyone,” she wrote on social networks.
The coach Petar Novák’s confidant hinted at possible problems already on Friday evening, when she shared a photo of her lying in bed, wearing a cap and gloves. She completed the picture with optimistic words that she wants to enter the race.
Seven-time Olympic medalist Sáblíková is participating in the Games for the last time, in Milan she should present herself in the 5000 and 1500 m races. “Five” is scheduled for Thursday, February 12.
Send Martina a get well soon message. 👇🏻🥺 pic.twitter.com/TksFAhRQ18
— Czech Olympic Team (@olympijskytym) February 7, 2026
“My first question (to the doctor) was whether if I miss the three, I will be able to stand on the five. Of course, they said that they will do everything for me to stand there. I said that I will not let the five be taken away. Even if I am 39 (degrees Celsius), I will go there. I would really like to say goodbye here.” said Sáblíková, who started her Olympic career 20 years ago in Turin.
Expedition doctor Jiří Dostal is optimistic about her start at 5,000 meters. “Martina has an acute virus. After consulting the whole team, we agreed that the performance would not be optimal and there is a big risk that she would be negatively affected on her primary five-kilometer track,” said Dostal, who fully supported the decision to cancel today’s start. “We’ll get her together and there’s a good chance she’ll be fully prepared for five kilometers,” he added.
- Author: © List/
- PHOTO: X/Czech Olympic Team, Facebook/Martina Sábliková
- Source: CTK
