On 1 July 2026, the following person became Rector of the PALESTRA University of Physical Education and Sport: Tomáš Mirovský, MA, PhD, MBA.
He has been associated with PALESTRA for 35 years. He began his career there as a lecturer, and subsequently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Fitness Specialisation and an MBA in Sports Management at the university. He completed his doctoral studies in kinesiology at the Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University. He subsequently held a number of academic and managerial positions at PALESTRA – ranging from Head of the Lifelong Learning Department, through Grant Project Manager, to Vice-Rector for External Relations and International Cooperation.
Alongside his academic work, he serves on the management board of RunCzech, where he helps organise the most significant running events in the Czech Republic. He is the coordinator of the Czech Olympic Committee’s Olympic Festivals volunteer programme, chairman of the Volunteers4sport.cz association, and has helped organise a number of major international sporting events, including the Ice Hockey World Championships and the World Figure Skating Championships. In his professional work, he also focuses on the development of international cooperation, applied research and linking higher education with practical experience. It is precisely this approach that has driven the development of the PALESTRA Kbelská 10 running race, which has become a respected sporting event and, at the same time, a unique opportunity for students to gain experience directly through the organisation of a major sporting event.
We would also like to thank Prof. PaedDr. Rudolf Psotta, Ph.D. for his work to date as rector, during which he has made a significant contribution to the university’s development, enhancing both its academic standards and its standing within the academic community.
However, Prof. Psotta’s role at PALESTRA does not end there. From 1 July, he will take up the post of Vice-Rector for Science and Research, where his main responsibilities will be to develop the university’s research activities, support scientific projects and strengthen cooperation with both academic and industry partners.
We wish the new rector every success in the further development of VŠTVS PALESTRA, and we would like to thank Prof. Rudolf Psotta for his leadership of the university to date. We are confident that, in their new roles, they will both contribute to the further development of Palestra as a modern university that combines high-quality education, research and professional practice.