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Carolina (English) No 255
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STUDENTS' E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC
Faculty of Social Science of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
e-mail: CAROLINA@cuni.cz
tel: (+420 2) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+420 2) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 255, Friday, August 1, 1997.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (July 16 - July 30)
Waters Recede, Damages Remain
The destructive wave of floods which in recent weeks engulfed
Moravia (see Carolina 246) has in large part receded. The number of
victims reached 48, and their memory was honored by the nation July 24
with a moment of silence at noon.
Residents are gradually returning to their damaged homes - the
situation is critical particularly in Otrokovice, where the
neighborhoods of Bahnak and Sterkoviste remain under water for a third
week despite the constant removal of water. Some people have not been
able to withstand the psychological pressure, and July 21 about 100
residents of Otrokovice demonstrated for the second time in front of the
city hall. Speeding the tempo of the draining of water is however
obstructed by massive lagoons, which have spread out between Otrokovice
and nearby Tlumacov (the water in the lagoons would be enough to fill
one-fifth of the largest Czech lake, Lake Lipno).
Estimates of the damages caused by the "flood of the century" are
between 50 billion crowns and 60 billion crowns. Of this sum, about 10
billion crowns will go the apartment fund, about 6 billion for highways,
9 billion for industrial firms, and 11 billion in agricultural losses.
Another 10-14 billion crowns represents damages to companies which could
not supply products to their contractors or had to stop production. One
German insurer which insures a number of Czech insurance companies
estimates that their Czech clients will pay out about 23 billion crowns
in compensation. Various foundations have raised more that 500 hundred
million crowns. The state has set aside about 12.7 billion crowns to
cover flood damages. Five billion crowns of this should be provided by
the issuing of "flood bonds," and a similar amount will be taken from
the National Property Fund. Regional Development Minister Tomas Kvapil
said that 72 counties were affected by the flooding, 2,500 homes were
destroyed and 20,000 more homes and apartments were damaged.
Agricultural Minister Josef Lux (Christian Democrats) gave farmers
some good news. "For ruined crops and renovation of fields all afflicted
farmers will receive proper financial compensation, and the state will
support them with cheap loans," said Lux July 28 to daily MF DNES.
Farmers who lost their entire crop to the floods will receive from the
state up to 75 per cent of the income they would have received after
harvest. Lux said he is sure that such an approach is appropriate.
"Unlike other entrepreneurs, farmers are simply dependent upon the land.
A shoemaker can theoretically take shoes elswhere, but you cannot move
fields. When the waters came, it was 14 days before harvest, and thus
the entire year's harvest came to naught. Other entrepreneurs lost at
most one month's supply," said Lux. As Lux said before, the remaining
harvest should suffice, and the country should not have to purchase
abroad. David Vlk/Michael Bluhm, Milan Smid
After Invite to NATO, Czechs Receive Ticket to EU
Many politicians consider the appraisal made public July 16 by the
European Commission, which concludes the Czech Republic will be among
the first six new nations with which the commission will discuss
membership, as historic a moment as the recent invitation to join NATO.
"The government has the impression that the evaluation indicated in the
appraisal is very satisfying for the Czech Republic," said Prime
Minister Vaclav Klaus July 17 to daily MF DNES. The commission expressed
reservations about media and screening (lustration) laws, the position
of the Romany (Gypsy) minority and the effectiveness of the courts in
the Czech Republic.
Countries striving for EU membership are not entirely prepared,
according to the appraisal. They should be helped by the new "Marshall
Plan," for which the commission hopes to gain finances through reforms
called Agenda 2000. David Vlk/Michael Bluhm
Tanks-for-Planes Exchange Nixed by Coalition
The government narrowly rejected July 23 the sale of hundreds of
Czech Army tanks to Algeria. The Defense Ministry was to gain in
exchange for the tanks 12 L-39 Czech training aircraft and four
long-range radio location systems. The Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA),
the coalition's smallest member, was strongly against the proposal, as
ODA Chairman Michael Zantovsky declared the move would reduce the
nation's ability to defend itself. The trade was to be mediated by
Omnipol, the former monopoly arms exporter. Defense Minister Miloslav
Vyborny (Christian Democrats) took the government's rejection as an
expression of distrust in arguments he provided - that the army would
increase its attack capabilities by 150 per cent and improve its air
force. Vyborny said that until he met with President and
Commander-in-Chief Vaclav Havel immediately after the decision, he saw
no alternative other than to resign. The president supported Vyborny,
and therefore Vyborny changed his mind, despite Christian Democrat
Chairman Josef Lux's threats to leave the coalition.
David Vlk/Michael Bluhm
Popularity Polls Dominated by Social Democrats
The latest poll results on the popularity of politicians in the
Czech Republic, published by the Center for Empirical Research July 22:
Social Democrat and Parliament Vice Chairwoman Petra Buzkova, 75 per
cent approval (76 per cent in June); Social Democrat Parliamentary Club
Chairman Stanislav Gross, 64 (62); Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Vice
Chairman and Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec, 61 (61); Social Democrat
and Parliament Chairman Milos Zeman, 51 (50); Justice Minister Vlasta
Parkanova (Civic Democratic Alliance - ODA), 48 (41); SEnate Chairman
Petr Pithart, 44 (49); Christian Democrat Chairman and Agricultur
Minister Josef Lux, 43 (51); Interior Minister Jan Ruml (ODS), 42 (45);
Defense Minster Miloslav Vyborny (Christian Democrats), 41 (44);
Environment Minister Jiri Skalicky (ODA), 38 (38). ODS Chairman and
Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, whose popularity has been falling all year,
finished 13th with 31 per cent (34). Ondra Trunecka/Michael Bluhm
Social Democrats Lead ODS in Voter Preference Poll by 11 Per Cent
The latest results of a poll of voter preference published by the
Center for Empirical Research July 16: Social Democrats, 31 per cent
(30 per cent in June); Civic Democratic Party (ODS), 19.7 (20.7);
Christian Democrats, 11.1 (13); Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia,
10.4 (9); Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA), 9.4 (10); Association for the
Republic-Czechoslovak Republican Party, 4.6, although 5 per cent is
necessary for representation in Parliament. Ondra Trunecka/Michael Bluhm
FROM SLOVAKIA
Meciar: US Ambassador Misinforms about Events in Slovakia
American ambassador to Slovakia Ralph Johnson is interfering with
the internal matters of Slovakia just as the ambassador of the former
USSR did in 1968, said Slovak Premier Vladimir Meciar July 16 in
reaction to Johnson's explanation of Slovakia not recieving an
invitation to join NATO.
Johnson declared during a speech in Bratislava July 14 that the USA
could not support Slovakia because of "alarming antidemocratic
development" in two areas: intolerant and unfair treatment with people
having opinions different from the government's and the growing
centralization of power.
Meciar said it is no tragedy that Slovakia was not asked to join in
the first wave of NATO expansion. The July NATO summit in Madrid gave
Slovakia a two-year postponement. The countries which will join NATO
next will not be known till 1999, said Meciar during a discussion
program on Slovak Television. Jan Majer/Magdalena Vanova
Slovakia Still outside EU Gate
Slovakia is the only country among 10 candidates which does not meet
political standards necessary to enter the EU, according to the July 16
decision of the European Commission, which evaluated the readiness of
individual states for joining.
Chairman of the Slovak National Assembly's Foreign Committee Dusan
Slobodnik declared the decision is not definitive, which was confirmed
by the leader of the EU delegation in Bratislava, Georgios Zavvos.
However, he made conditional the resumption of discussions to the
immediate acceptance of European norms. "Membership demands that
candidate countries have stable institutions which guarantee democracy,
the rule of law, human rights, and respect and protection for
minorities," said Zavvos to daily Lidove noviny July 17.
On Slovak Television, Premier Vladimir Meciar passed off the EU
rebuke by saying, "We are not responsible to any other state, to any
power." The opposition Democratic Party called for the resignation of
the government and for Meciar to leave the politic scene forever.
Petr Novak/Magdalena Vanova
Blair Offers Help to Meciar
British Prime Minister Tony Blair offered Slovakia via a letter
adressed to Premier Vladimir Meciar "any help to reach the standard
necessary for integration into western structures." In the letter, which
Meciar received from the British ambassador to Slovakia, Blair proclaims
the importance of security in central Europe and cooperation with
Slovakia.
"The Alliance has placed high demands of democracy and upholding the
law. I am looking forward to the day when Slovakia will be able to join
us as a member of NATO and other key western institutions," Blair wrote
in the letter.
According to the spokesperson of the Slovak government, Blair wanted
to show that it was a "misunderstanding" that Slovakia was not invited
into NATO and the EU, and the process of their expansion will continue.
This interpretation ignores the critical portions of the letter, leftist
daily Pravda wrote. Without these parts it would be possible to
understand the letter as a friendly pat on the back.
Jan Majer/Magdalena Vanova
NEWS IN BRIEF
* The Slovak Constitutional Court ruled the National Assembly
infringed upon constitutional rights by taking the political mandate
from Frantisek Gaulieder, a former member of the Premier Vladimir
Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia. According to the opposition
daily Sme, the Constitutional Court confirmed that today's Assembly is
not a legal authority .
* The list of the "sleeping" Swiss banks accounts founded during World
War II contains the name of Vojtech Tuka. Tuka was the prime minister of
the Slovak government during the war, and he represented the wing of the
Hlinka's Slovak Peoples' Party, which worked closely with Nazi Germany.
Jan Majer/Mirek Langer
ECONOMY
Japanese Bank Nomura to Gain State Share in IPB
The sale of the state's share in the Investment and Postal Bank
(IPB, Investicni a postovni banka) to the Japanese financial institution
Nomura was approved by the Czech government July 23. IPB will thus
become the first of the four largest Czech banks in which the state will
give up its share.
Through the National Property Fund, the state still owns 31.48 per
cent of IPB, and from April a golden share as well, which gives the
state special rights. The state also controls IPB shares through the
Czech Post Office (4.45 per cent) and the Finance Ministry (0.3 per
cent). Through the sale of the shares, at a price of 285 crowns per
share, the state will gain 6 billion crowns. The purchase contract also
requires Nomura to increase IPB's share capital by at least another 6
billion crowns.
The Japanese financial giant probably controls about 10 per cent of
the bank through a related Czech company. The firm Nushell recently
purchased 9.82 per cent of IPB shares and is one of 20 firns which
together own 49.4 per cent of IPB and are supposedly controlled by IPB
management.
The sale of IPB's shares led to some disharmony in the government
coalition, when Christian Democrat Chairman and Agriculture Minister
Josef Lux called the sale price into question. "It should be clearly
stated that this is not merely the sale of a share in a bank, but also
the right for 10 years to use the counters of the Czech Post Office and
also control of a number of firms controlled by the bank," said Lux, who
does not doubt the one-third share will suffice Nomura for control of
IPB.
IPB is a universal banking house established in 1994 by the merger
of the Investment Bank with the Postal Bank. The bank, which has a share
capital of 3.73 billion crowns, finished with net profits of 882 million
crowns, which placed it third among domestic banks.
Bohdana Rambouskova/Michael Bluhm
East West Travel Agency Goes Bankrupt
The East West Travel Agency declared bankruptcy July 23, although it
promised the 400 clients it had at that date abroad their safe return
home. The agency cited the fall of the Czech crown as the reason for
bankruptcy. East West owes its partners 27 million crowns, according to
daily MF DNES. East West became the third Czech travel agency to declare
bankruptcy this summer (see Carolina 254).
Bohdana Rambouskova/Michael Bluhm
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid from July 31)
country currency
-----------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 25.798
Belgium 100 BEF 91.161
Great Britain 1 GBP 56.322
Denmark 1 DKK 4.945
Finland 1 FIM 6.335
France 1 FRF 5.586
Ireland 1 IEP 50.387
Italy 1000 ITL 19.271
Japan 100 JPY 29.178
Canada 1 CAD 25.013
Luxemburg 100 LUF 91.161
Hungary 100 HUF 17.662
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.708
Norway 1 NOK 4.551
New Zealand 1 NZD 22.562
Poland 1 PLN 9.992
Portugal 100 PTE 18.632
Austria 1 ATS 2.676
Greece 100 GRD 12.030
Slovakia 100 SKK 99.212
Germany 1 DEM 18.830
Spain 100 ESP 22.305
Sweden 1 SEK 4.340
Switzerland 1 CHF 22.741
USA 1 USD 34.607
ECU 1 XEU 37.107
CULTURE
Concert to Help Flooded Areas Raises 2 Million
A benefit concert with the stars of Czech musicals brought in more
than 2 million crowns for areas affected by floods. In Prague's Congress
Center, 100 friends and rivals from the musicals Dracula, Jesus Christ
Superstar, The Pied Piper and Hair appeared in a program called The
Bridge of Hope July 21. The concert was broadcast by TV Prima and Czech
Radio.
Other artists have also worked to raise money for Moravia. Violinist
Jaroslav Sveceny inaugurated a series of concerts in the Nostic Palace
called A Week for Moravia. The organizers of the Agharta Prague Jazz
Festival in Prague's Lucerna Music Bar gave some profits to the affected
regions. Jan Majer/Mirek Langer
Gramophone Production Allegedly Made CDs for Neo-Nazis
Gramophone Production (Gramofonove zavody) in Lodenice produced
compact discs with anti-semitic, neo-Nazi and racist lyrics for the
German agency AFK, according to the German weekly Der Spiegel. Eva
Tazlerova, state prosecutor in Beroun, ordered police July 22 to
investigate. The company distanced itself from the records and stopped
production of the German client's records. Jan Majer/Mirek Langer
ONE-SENTENCE NEWS
* Jiri Majstr and Stanislav Mundil, New York and Washington
correspondents of the Czech Press Agency, published a book "about
congressmen, Democrats and Republicans, Clinton's cat and Bush's dog and
similar necessities." The book's Czech title translates as Washington
before Deadline.
* The Summer Film School is taking place in Jihlava July 25-August 3,
because Uherske Hradiste, the traditional site of the program, was
afflicted by floods. Spectators can see 35 films each day.
* The new Czecho-Slovak co-produced film Blue Heaven has premiered in
Czech cinemas. It stars Zita Kabatova, Emilia Vasaryova and Hungarian
actor Janos Ban. Pavel Novak, Jan Majer/Mirek Langer
SPORTS
Floods Also Afflict Sports Facilities
Three first league soccer stadiums were affected by the flooding.
Water in Hradec Kralove ascended to the crossbar of the goals, in Kaucuk
Opava's stadium floods doomed 16 people to two days of enforced
captivity in the upper grandstands. Sigma Olomouc's grass and stadium
are seriously damaged and a first round match in Olomouc was postponed.
Just in the Zlin, Uherske Hradiste and Kromeriz regions about 60 soccer
fields were flooded.
Other sports facilities were also damaged. The courts in the arenas
of men's basketball champions ICEC Opava and women's handball champions
LR Cosmetic Ostrava were wrecked. Also the arena in Otrokovice was
flooded. Many tennis and volleyball courts disappeared under water, like
the tennis complex in Prerov, where extraleague matches were to be
played.
Sports organizations began helping the afflicted regions - Slavia
Praha, Sparta Praha and the Sazka sports book each gave 1 million
crowns. The Jagr Team, made up of top Czech hockey stars (Briza,
Beranek, Hamrlik, Nedved and others) has added another match in Hradec
Kralove to its schedule and is considering adding one more in Brno. The
team is organizing a camp for children from afflicted regions, led by
players' wives.
SOCCER
Brno and Jablonec Advance in UEFA Cup
Jablonec commenced its UEFA Cup matches successfully by defeating
Karabakh Agdam of Azerbaijan after a strong beginning 5-0 in Jablonec
July 23. They won mostly thanks to quick combinations on the ground.
Goals: Holub 2, Neumann 2 and Hromadko.
On the contrary, Brno failed in its first UEFA Cup match. The
Moravian players also grabbed an early lead, as Holomek scored in the
fifth minute, but the home team Inkaras Kaunas of Lithuania won the
match 3-1 with goals scored by Pribyl (a Czech who scored into the
Czechs' own goal), Shlekys and Rudjionis.
The rematches were played after the Carolina deadline July 30 with
these results: Brno - Kaunas 6-1, Karabakh - Jablonec 0-3.
Sparta Praha, the Czech champion, will enter the Champions League in
the second pre-round, heading to Casino Salzburg. The Austrian team is
very good, having won three consecutive Austrian titles through this
year and in 1994 making the UEFA Cup final. Sparta starts the series on
the Salzburg field August 13 with the rematch set for August 27.
Slovak teams' schedule and results: Champions League first
pre-round: 1. FC Kosice - IA Akranes (Iceland) 3-0 and 1-0, Kosice
advances. Cup Winners Cup pre-round: Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) - Slovan
Bratislava. UEFA Cup first preround: Birkirkara (Malta) - Trnava 0-1 and
1-3, Trnava advances.
Player Transactions in Czech Soccer League
* Soccer's first league will start its season the weekend of August
3. The first round schedule: Ostrava - Dukla, Drnovice - Slavia Praha,
Opava - Liberec, Brno - Bohdanec, Hradec Kralove - Ceske Budejovice,
Jablonec - Zizkov, Sparta Praha - Plzen, Olomouc - Teplice. The
intracity derby between Sparta and Slavia will be played in the sixth
round in the middle of September.
* These are the biggest player transactions in the first soccer league
this summer: Sparta Praha player Martin Frydek goes to Germany's
Leverkusen, Pavel Novotny leaves Slavia Praha for Germany's Wolfsburg.
Slavia Praha player Daniel Smejkal already started preparation in the
German second league's Nuremberg, where he became a fan favorite,
according to the Czech newspapers. Vaclav Nemecek returns to the Czech
league, as the former national team captain will play in Sparta Praha
again. Goalkeeper Petr Kouba, who did not play after he had been traded
by Sparta to Spain's La Corunya, will wear the German 1. FC
Kaiserslautern club's colors next year. In Kaiserslautern, Miroslav
Kadlec and Pavel Kuka already play.
* New member of the first soccer league Dukla Praha, which advanced
from the second league, renamed itself FC Dukla and will play its home
matches in the stadium in the city of Pribram.
* TV NOVA bought broadcasting rights for the first league again, this
time for the next two years. Initially, cable television had to
broadcast the soccer, but the Nethold company withdrew from its contract
after cutting its business ties with the Czech Republic.
* Former soccer player Miroslav Wieczek, 65, the best Czech scorer
after World War II, died in Ostrava. He scored 174 goals.
TRACK AND FIELD
Juniors European Championships Bring Seven Medals for Czech Republic
Czech athletes got seven medals in the European under-23
championships in Turku, Finland July 12-13. Hana Benesova got three
medals and became the most successful athlete of the championships. She
won the 200 meters in a fantastic time of 22.57 seconds, she took the
silver in the 400 meters and the bronze from the 4x400-meter relay.
Suldesova led the 1,500 meters from start to finish and Soucek won the
third gold, breaking the Czech record in the 400-meter hurdles with
a time of 49.08 seconds. The next two medals were the men's 4x400 meters
relay's silver and pole jumper Spacek's bronze.
Rain Washes away Some of Czech Championships
Rain bothered the Czech Republic Championships in Trinec July 5-6,
forcing the cancelation of the men's high jump. Daniela Bartova's
European record in the pole jump (433 centimeters) was the best
performance of the weekend. "I don't mind rain. The only difference is
I don't comb my hair and use makeup before the competition," Bartova
said after her success. Her record has already been broken by Ukraine's
Babakhanova.
Nominees for the World Championships in Athens
Benesova (400 meters and 4x400 meters), Formanova (800 meters and
4x400 meters), Fuchsova (400 meters and 4x400 meters), Kostovalova
(4x400 meters), Suldesova (1500 meters), Rudova (100 meters hurdles),
Kasparkova (triple jump), Kovacikova (high jump), Tomeckova (javelin),
Matejkova (discus), Slehobr (100 meters and 200 meters), Stejfa (4x400
meters), Podebradsky (4x400 meters), Svebej (4x400 meters), Soukup (800
meters), Vydra (800 meters), Soucek (400 meters hurdles and 4x400
meters), Muzik (400 meters hurdles a 4x400 meters), David (marathon),
Holusa (20 kilometers walk), J. Janku (high jump), T. Janku (high jump),
Zelezny (javelin), Menc (shot put), Malina (discus), Sedlacek (hammer),
Maska (hammer), Dvorak (decathlon), Zmelik (decathlon), Sebrle
(decathlon).
* Jan Zelezny July 4 won the javelin in the first "Golden Four"
meeting in Oslo on his fifth attempt of 88.46 meters. In Stockholm July
8 he lost to Germany's Henry.
* Sarka Kasparkova won the triple jump in the Grand Prix meeting in
Lausanne July 7, and she leads the overall Grand Prix standings.
* Lukas Vydra broke Josef Odlozil's 22-year-old Czech 1,000 meters
record in Lille, France July 7.
* Ukrainian Sergei Bubka won the pole vaulters' exhibition in
Prostejov's town square July 11, jumping over 580 centimeters, Kysela
jumped 40 centimeters less. Bartova won the women's competition, though
her 435 centimeters cannot became the European record because of the
irregular runway.
* Roman Oravec got the only medal for the Czech national team in the
European juniors' championships in Lublan, Slovenia. He finished third
in the 800 meters.
TENNIS
Novotna Has No Grand Slam Title after Wimbledon
Jana Novotna defeated Arancha Sanchez-Vicario (Spain) in the
semifinal of this year's Wimbledon and in the final July 5 met Martina
Hingis from Switzerland. After some excellent play she won the first set
6-2, but then she did fell behind her 12-years younger opponent. She
lost 6-2, 3-6, 3-6. She remains the last top tennis player in thr world
who has not won a Grand Slam title. She was closest to it in the 1993
Wimbledon final, playing against Germany's Steffi Graf and leading 4-1
and 40-30 in the third set. Novotna now advanced to second in the WTA
ranking, just behind Hingis.
Helena Sukova and Cyril Suk won the mixed doubles' final July 6,
defeating Neiland (Latvia) and Olkhovsky (Russia) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Sukova
has 12 Grand Slam titles from doubles.
Other results: Chladkova lost to Hingis 3-6, 2-6 in the quarterfinal
July 2, Sukova lost to Kournikova (Russia) 6-2, 2-6, 3-6 in the fourth
round July 1. Petr Korda lost to Sampras (USA) 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6
in the fourth round July 2. Sukova with Neiland (Latvia) lost to Arendt
(USA) and Bollegraf (Netherlands) 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 in the doubles'
semifinal July 5. Damm and Vizner lost to Haarhuis and Eltingh (both
Netherlands) 2-6, 2-6, 4-6 in the doubles' semifinal July 5.
One Little Step Missing for Advance to Fed Cup Final
The women's KB Fed Cup, analogous to the men's Davis Cup, escaped
the Czech Republic by only one point in the semifinals against the
Netherlands, played in the Prague tennis center in Stvanice July 12-13.
The magical match point was lost by Gersi, and the Dutch will play the
final against France.
Sandra Kleinova lost the first match against the experienced
Schultz-McCarthy 1-6, 6-7, but then Jana Novotna won two matches
(against Oremans 6-3, 6-0 and Schultz-McCarthy 7-6, 6-3). Adriana Gersi
then played an exciting match against Oremans as the ill Kleinova could
not start. Gersi foiled three of her opponent's match points (6-1, 2-6,
4-5) and when the score was 7-6 she had four chances to win. Then, after
two and half hours of play, she was affected by cramps and Oremans
evened the match score to 2-2 with the 9-7 third set victory.
A dramatic, two-set doubles match between Eva Martincova and Novotna
against Bollegraf and Oremans finished 4-6 and 6-7.
Slovakia (Habsudova, Nagyova, Studenikova) defeated Canada 5-0 and
will play in the first zone next year.
South Africa's Kruger Wins WTA Championships in Prague
After a July 20 win in semifinal and final, South African Joanette
Kruger won the Skoda Czech Open on Prague's Stvanice tennis courts. She
defeated Austrian Marion Maruska 6-1, 6-1 in the final. The Czech
Republic's Richterova defeated Dragomir of Romania, the number 2 seed,
but she was shut out in the quarterfinal like Chladkova, while
Bobkova's tournament ended in the second round; for seven other Czechs,
the end came in the first round. Dragomir and Habsudova (Slovakia) won
the doubles title after a finals win over Martincova and Vildova (both
Czechs) 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. Jana Novotna canceled out before the Fed Cup
semifinal due to injury.
* The Czech juniors' team of Tabara, Kralert and Stepanek lost the
final match of the Galea Cup to France. The team competition of
under-18 tennis players took place in Royan, France. Also, the girls'
team of Schonfeldova, Pastikova and Hubnerova finished second in their
Soisbault Cup in Lerida, Spain, behind France.
* Gstaad, doubles' final: Vacek (CR), Kafelnikov (Russia) - Kronemann
(USA), MacPherson (Australia) 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.
* Stuttgart, final: Kucera (Slovakia) - Corretja (Spain) 2-6, 5-7.
* Washington, final: Korda (CR) - Chang (USA) 7-5, 2-6, 1-6. Korda,
after this success, advanced to 16th place in the ATP rankings.
CANOE AND KAYAK
Martin Doktor Enters History as One of First European Champions
The top Czech athlete of 1996 and two-time Olympic champion from
Atlanta Martin Doktor got one gold and one silver in the first-ever flat
water European Championships, which took place in Bulgaria's Plovdiv in
the first week of July. He won the canoe singles one kilometer race, and
in the half-race he finished second, losing to Bukhalov from Bulgaria.
Slovakia's Knazovicky won the non-olympic 200 meters race, Doktor
finished fourth.
The men's canoe foursome of Prochazka, Fuksa, Bednar and Krivanek
completed the Czech Republic's collection of three medals with their
bronze from the 200-meter race, behind Russia and Slovakia.
* Martin Doktor won the World Cup when he won all three finals in
Poznan, Poland July 12-13. It was the penultimate test before the World
Championships in Canada in August.
SWIMMING
Yvetta Hlavacova Wins Five Czech Titles
The Czech Republic championships, the last chance to get to the
European Championships in Seville, took place July 5-6 in the Podoli
pool in Prague. Yvetta Hlavacova and Lenka Manhalova each took three
titles, while Hlavacova broke the Czech record in the 100-meter
butterfly (1:02.43).
In the long distances swimming championships in Racice July 19-20,
Hlavacova won two more titles.
BRIEFS
* SOFTBALL - The Italian women won the European Championships in
Prague, the Netherlands finished second and the Czech Republic third,
with the finals taking place July 4-6.
* SHOOTING - Petr Kurka won the bronze medal in the European
Championships in Copenhagen.
* TRIATHLON - Martin Matula finished 19 seconds behind the bronze in
the European Championships in Finland's Vuokatti July 5. He finished
fifth, Rehula seventh. Renata Berkova finished 17th among the women,
while senior Oklestak won the bronze and junior Bejstova the silver
medal.
* TRIATHLON - Martin Matula and Renata Berkova became the Czech
Republic's champions in Karlovy Vary July 7.
* ROWING - Czech rowers won two medals in the famous regatta in
Lucerne. The Czech men's coxed four won, Kacovsky (lightweight single
skull) finished third. Vaclav Chalupa in his single skull finished
fourth behind the winner, the Slovenian Cop.
* CYCLING - Pavel Padrnos, the only Czech in the Tour de France,
withdrew during the ninth stage .
* MOTORING - Milan Dolak, in a Toyota, won the Bohemia Rallye July
11-12 and strengthened his lead in the Czech championships. Triner, in
a Skoda Felicia, finished second and Gargulak, in a Mitsubishi, third.
* MOTORING - Jaroslav Hules is 20th in the world championship
standings of road motorcycling after the German Grand Prix.
* BASKETBALL - Jan Bobrovsky, coach of Zabovresky, became the new
coach of the Czech women's national team. He replaced Jan Karger, who
withdrew after the team's failure in the European Championships.
* RIDING SPORTS - The German horse Lonango won the Slovak Derby in
Bratislava July 23, while Czech Derby winner Nora Jeane finished second.
* HANDICAPPED SPORT - Seventeen-year-old track and field athlete
Tereza Wagnerova became the most succesful athlete of the World Deaf
Games in Copenhagen. He was first in the polyathlon and the triple jump,
second in the high jump and fifth in the javelin.
Sports supplement prepared and translated by Mirek Langer
WEATHER
This year's summer is no good. The holidays' first half is ending and it
was warm enough to go swimming only a few times. Recent days of sunny
skies and temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit
promise that a true vacation is yet to come. Mirek Langer
English version edited by Michael Bluhm
Carolina is published in summer every second week.
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