Paris (from our correspondent) – Even before the start of the games in Paris, Petráček was the most successful Czech swimmer in the Paralympics. Now he shares the primacy with David Kratochvíl, who won three medals in France. So their collection is the same. One gold, one silver and one bronze.
“I’m already handing over the scepter to David. I’m proud of him. The future is on the right track,” Petráček praised his representative colleague. However, he also mentioned the other swimmers, most of them making it to the finals. The 33-year-old swimmer also considered this a success.
After all, the Czech expedition fished four valuable metals from the pool. That is half of the total profit. The archers took care of the other three medals, and table tennis player Suchánek took the silver.
However, Petráček’s path to the bronze medal was a bit complicated. Unlike the previous Paralympics, he only competed in one race in Paris. In addition, until the penultimate day of the games. At the same time, he arrived at the venue of the Paralympics with the swimming team even before it started. He waited over two weeks for his start.
“It was difficult to hold on, both mentally and physically. But the cards were dealt and we had to deal with it somehow,” said Petráček, adding that he went to the pool and gym every day. “And the race itself was great. The medal is worth the incredible work, not only by me and the coaches, but also by my family, friends and my fan club,” he added.
🥉 AND ONE MORE MEDAL! Thanks Árny, you’re a dude! 🇨🇿 #sportjejenomjeden #stejnialejini #Paris2024 #paralympics
Posted by Czech Paralympic team on Saturday, September 7, 2024
It was the fans who were heard. As Petráček stepped up to the blocks, loud Arna, Arna echoed through La Défense Arena. “I heard them even in the water,” chuckled the three-time Paralympic medalist. “Now I will go to a pub with them and my friends to celebrate the medal,” he added.
Petráček has a congenital defect of the upper and lower limbs. He was born without arm bones and with luxation of the knee joints. Nevertheless, he is one of the most famous Czech Paralympians. At the age of 33, he already knows that his career is coming to an end after all.
“In four years in Los Angeles, I would like to say goodbye to swimming,” he admitted. And what will happen then? “I will get a coaching license and I would like to teach children to swim. Now I have four years to build something for it, and then we’ll see,” outlined Petráček.
