(28 Aug 2024)
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Tachov, Czech Republic. Recent.
1. 00:08 Swimmer David Kratochvil adjusting his swim goggles
2. 00:15 Various of David Kratochvil training
3. 00:46 SOUNDBITE (Czech) David Kratochvil, Paralympic swimmer:
“I’m delighted that I’ve qualified, that I’ve made the qualification times. Now preparations are underway and we’ll see what happens. I am looking forward to the atmosphere at the Games because my friends, fellow swimmers who already have participated, say the atmosphere there is amazing. I certainly wish to win a medal at the Paralympics, that would be my life goal. I have been dreaming of it since I was nine-years-old."
4. 01:18 Various of David Kratochvil training
5. 01:43 SOUNDBITE (Czech) David Kratochvil, swimmer:
"I play the piano, guitar and accordion. Sometimes I play chess, although not as much as I used to, now mostly on a computer. I also compose my own music, some piano tunes. I am also into biology so I study some facts about it. Those are my hobbies.”
6. 02:07 Various of David Kratochvil training
SOURCE: Associated Press
DURATION: 02:24
STORYLINE:
Teenage swimmer David Kratochvil is headlining the medal hopefuls of the Czech Republic’s Paralympic team as he prepares to head to the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris.
The 16-year old used to play ice hockey, like his older brother, until he lost his eyesight due to a serious illness about 10 years ago.
A decision to switch from the ice rink to the swimming pool proved to be the right choice.
Last year, David set two world records in the 50 and 200 meter backstroke and went on to win his first gold medal at the World Championships in the UK, claiming the 400 meter freestyle race.
Earlier this year, he was named the best Czech Paralympic athlete for 2023.
David is currently getting ready for his first Games that take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, something he has been dreaming about for a long while.
“I’m delighted that I’ve qualified," Kratochvil told The Associated Press while taking a break from training in the Czech town, Tachov.
"I am looking forward to the atmosphere at the Games because my friends, fellow swimmers who already have participated, say the atmosphere there is amazing," he added.
In Paris, David will contest in the 50 and 400 meter freestyle, 100 meter races in backstroke, breast stroke and butterfly and 200 meter individual medley.
While his schoolmates from the local high school enjoy two months of summer holidays, David has been fully focused on training.
He trains twice a day in the pool for a total of four hours, with a workout in a gym in between.
Then tops it off with a 16-kilometer (10 mile) ride on a tandem bicycle in the evening.
Sunday is his only day off but he has no complaints.
It’s a busy time not just for him, but his entire Olympic team that includes his mum, Stanislava and dad, Jiri.
Visually impaired swimmers might sometimes have a problem to keep straight in line but need almost no more help while swimming.
There’s just one exception.
As they can’t recognize that they’re approaching the end of the pool, they need “tappers” to let them know when to turn or finish a race by tapping their head or back.
David’s parents took over the role of tappers for him.
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