Sáblíková wins bronze, eyes more

Speed-skater Martina Sáblíková is staking a claim to be the Czech Republic's most successful Olympian of all time. Having won a gold medal in her opening performance in the women's 3,000 meters, Sáblíková added a bronze medal in the 1,500-meter race Feb. 22. The 22-year-old also hopes to add one more podium finish - most likely a golden one. Sáblíková was keen to confirm her top shape in Feb. 24's 5,000-meter race, her strongest discipline. She has been defeated only once in that race over the past four years.

"It's obvious she will be racing for the gold," said Sáblíková's coach, Petr Novák.

The skater's unexpected finish on the podium in the 1,500 meters reaffirmed that she is in top form.

"This race is the least favorite for me. Before the start, I thought I could make it perhaps into the top 10," Sáblíková said.

Should Sáblíková win another gold, she would become the first Czech Olympian in 14 years to win two gold medals at a single Olympic Games. Canoeist Martin Doktor won two gold medals in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. If Sáblíková comes away from this year's games with three medals under her belt, she will have become the first Czech in 42 years to do so at a single games. Gymnast Věra Čáslavská won six medals, including four gold and two silver, at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

Novák said Sáblíková could further boost her star image after taking up cycling.

"I told her we could take on the challenge of getting ready for a cycling event in a Summer Games if she won a medal in Vancouver. She did that, so we'll have to consider it," he said.

Others empty-handed

Sáblíková was the only Czech athlete to win a medal in the second week of the Olympics. The country's other leading medal contenders all finished off the podium. Cross-country skier Lukáš Bauer, who won bronze in the men's 15-km race, finished sixth in the skiathlon. Similarly to Sáblíková, Bauer is still looking to challenge for another medal in Vancouver.

"Lukáš will be chasing gold in the 50-km race on the last day," said Martin Petrásek, Bauer's coach.

Meanwhile, gold-medal dreams have faded for ski-cross competitor Tomáš Kraus, who, over the past eight years, won four times on the World Cup tour and also two World Championships. The 36-year-old, who pioneered the discipline eight years ago, failed to advance from the quarterfinals.

"Having won the World Cup and also the World Championship, I did think I could add one more trophy here. ... It's a pity I couldn't make that happen," Kraus said.

Hockey starts well

Hockey is the most closely watched Olympic event in the Czech Republic, and, for the men's team, the tournament started well. The team beat rival Slovakia 3-1 Feb. 18. The following day, the Czechs beat Latvia 5-2. After losing 4-2 to Russia in Feb. 21's match, the Czechs were scheduled to take on Latvia once again Feb. 24. If they win, they'll face off against Finland in a quarterfinal game Feb. 25. Star veteran forward Jaromír Jágr made an impressive return to the North American ice, where he spent most of his successful career in the NHL. Jágr, 37, who played with Avangard Omsk in the Russian league over the past two seasons, amassed three points through two goals and one assist in the first three games. In an interview with U.S. media, Jágr said he might return to the NHL next season.

František Bouc can be reached at
fbouc@praguepost.com