A tragic incident has cast a shadow over the orienteering community in the Jablonec region, with the sudden passing of Petr Janas, a dedicated member of the Prague club SK Praga. Janas reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack during a competition this past weekend.
The devastating event occurred on Saturday during the Czech Cup relay event held in Lukášov, near Jablonec. Janas was competing in the veteran relay for SK Praga, specifically in the H135 category. Witnesses reported that Janas, after his usual pre-race greetings with fellow competitors, collapsed before reaching the first checkpoint and never saw the finish line.
Jan Picek, the race director and chairman of the Czech Orienteering Sports Association, expressed the profound impact of the loss, stating, A terrible tragedy. It hit us a lot.
According to initial reports,Janas,a well-trained athlete,experienced a severe heart attack during the race. Picek added, Dozens of people tried to help him directly in the forest. Many of them then gave up their stretch.
This highlights the immediate and widespread efforts to provide aid.
Janas was a significant figure in Czech orienteering, contributing extensively to the sport. He played a role in organizing smaller events and was known for his work in designing courses. His athletic background extended beyond orienteering, having participated in the Great Kunratická, skied in the Jizera Fifty, and competed in Norway.
The Czech orienteering community paid tribute to Janas on Sunday. The dayS races commenced with a moment of silence to honor his memory and his final competition. organizers extended their gratitude to all participants who either withdrew from their races or assisted during the critical situation.
This article was written by an editor with a background in literary and media studies, who has been part of the online editorial team at CNN Prima news since april 2023.
