SPEAKERS
4th Annual Sports Conference
SPORTS IMPULSES: PALESTRA 2025
Prague 1. 12. 2025
Section 1: Impacts of sporting events
Mgr. Sasho Belovski, Ph.D.
Profile of
Sašo Belovski is the Executive Director of SuperHalfs and a member of the Board of RunCzech.
Before he started building SuperHalfs, he gained more than 17 years of experience in business development, event management, sponsorship, partner relations and other areas during his time at RunCzech. During this time, he has created or helped create several brands and projects in the mass sporting events industry.
In addition to being responsible for the creation and management of all SuperHalfs strategies and processes, he focuses on identifying and developing new business opportunities in all areas of the company's operations, including new products, expansions or new business activities.
Sasho holds a Ph.D. in sports marketing and is a graduate of the FIFAMASTER postgraduate program.
Impact of RunCzech and SuperHalfs
This presentation will focus on how the RunCzech projects and the international SuperHalfs series are influencing the sport and urban environment across Europe. Their benefits are not only reflected in economic indicators, but also in health and lifestyle, in strengthening community ties or in enriching urban tourism.
RunCzech has long shaped not only the Czech, but also the international running scene through a combination of well-organized races, support for an active lifestyle and the ability to create strong relationships between participants, cities and partners. SuperHalfs then connects Europe's leading half marathons into one concept that broadens the cultural and sporting experience of runners and brings a new dynamic to international travel for sport.
The presentation will offer insights into how these initiatives create long-term value and how they can inspire further development of sport projects in Europe.
Recording of the presentation
Mgr. Jana Havrdová, MPA
Profile of
Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic, President of the Czech Chamber of Fitness and the Czech Aerobics and Fitness Association FISAF.cz. She is the founder of the Active Czech Republic Foundation and has long promoted the development of an active lifestyle as part of the prevention of civilisation diseases and a healthy working environment.
She graduated from the Faculty of Law at Charles University, but after the birth of her first child she decided to take the path of entrepreneurship and combine her professional career with family life. Since 1999 she has been working in the fitness industry, she was at the birth of the Factory Pro network of fitness centres and since 2008 she has been actively involved in the management of the Czech Aerobics and Fitness Association FISAF.cz, where she has been the president since 2010.
In 2011, she founded the Czech Chamber of Fitness, which became a member of the Czech Chamber of Commerce and an important voice of the physical activity sector. In 2022, she completed her studies at the University of Economics in Prague in the field of sports diplomacy and received her MPA degree.
Movement as an investment, not an expense
Recording of the presentation
Mgr. Jiří Kotáb, Ph. D.
Profile of
Chairman of the Czech Association of Sports Economists and Managers
Teacher with a focus on sports management at TVS PALESTRA and AMBIS VŠ
Sports manager in practice - Bowling RADAVA
Selected examples of measuring the economic impact of sporting events abroad
Recording of the presentation
Mgr. et Ing. Pavel Král, Ph.D.
Profile of
Pavel Král is an assistant professor at the University of Economics in Prague, Faculty of Management. During his career he has been a guest lecturer at the Department of Sports Management at Griffith University in Australia. In the field of sports management, his main interests are in the administration and management of sport and sports associations, transparency of sports organisations and management of sport events. He has published the results of his research, for example, in the European Sport Management Quarterly.
The crowding-out effect of sporting events and their non-economic impacts
The presentation introduces the problem of the crowding-out effect of sporting events, especially in relation to studies with overestimated economic benefits. It explains the principle of the crowding-out effect and demonstrates it with a specific study. As a neglected but necessary solution, it focuses attention on other, mainly non-economic, impacts of sporting events.
Recording of the presentation
Mgr. Adam Kyselica, Ph.D.
Profile of
Event manager, entrepreneur
FMP Sports Agency - development of sports environment at club, municipal and regional level, Fan engagement, GameDay fanzone
Future Stars - Easter Cup Brno, Pre-season Cup Brno
Easter Cup Brno - Key points in the development of an international sporting event
Easter Cup Brno is one of Europe's leading youth basketball tournaments. More than 2,400 children from 10 countries participate in the tournament and the third edition has a clear goal - to push this threshold one level further.
doc. PhDr. Jan Šíma, Ph.D.
Profile of
Head of the Department of Sport Management UK FTVS
Vice-Chairman of the Czech Association of Sports Economists and Managers
member of the sports commission of Kralupy nad Vltavou
Economic impact of major sporting events
why the topic is important
classification of the economic impact of major sporting events
measuring the economic impact of major sporting events
Recording of the presentation
Section 2: Sports training and the sports environment
Christopher Herold
Profile of
Head coach Foundation phase U10 - U13 in SK Slavia Praha academy
15 years of experience in youth football - pre-school, schoolchildren, youth
Member of the Youth Commission of the Prague Football Association
Youth football coach trainer
Responsible for setting up the system for selecting players and coaches for the academy
Participated in the current form of the partner clubs project
Co-founder of the Slaviatalent project
Individualization of the training process for younger school age
- Multisport training
- Biobanding training
- IDP (Individual development programme)
Doc. PaedDr. Tomáš Perič, PhD.
Profile of
He works at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Charles University as an associate professor at the Department of Sports Games.
His professional work focuses on youth sports training, identification and selection of athletically talented youth and coaching in ice hockey. He has held a number of academic and administrative positions at the faculty.
Outside of university, he is actively involved in coaching youth ice hockey and works as a consultant in training methodology in various sports. Since 1994 he has been a member of the Coaching and Methodology Commission of the Czech Ice Hockey Federation and since 2006 he has been an international instructor of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) "Learn to Play" programme.
It also works with private companies in various areas of sport and training, including SenseArena (virtual reality training), SportAnalytic (motor predisposition assessment for children) and Gymnathlon (a comprehensive multi-sport development programme for children).
He has authored and co-authored a number of scientific and professional articles in these areas, as well as textbooks focused on youth sports training, talent identification and training in ice hockey.
Child training 2.0
Child training 2.0 represents a new approach to children's sport that puts the child at the centre, not performance. It rejects early specialisation, pressure for results and one-sided training. Instead, it emphasizes:
- A safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where making mistakes is part of learning and children feel comfortable.
- Positive coaching that builds rapport, promotes intrinsic motivation and personal development, not just technique.
- Parents as partners who encourage the joy of movement instead of pressure to perform.
- Movement versatility and multisport, which are the basis for healthy and long-term development.
- Holistic development of the child - physical, psychological, social and values.
- A strong community and club culture that values effort, cooperation and positive behavior.
- Technology as a support tool, not as a means of evaluation or selection.
- Systemic support, which includes coach education, changing methodologies, club funding and cooperation between schools, municipalities and associations.
The goal is sport where children feel good, stay active and develop as individuals - sport is a means, not an end.
Jiří Prskavec
Profile of
head coach of the Czech national water slalom team
Sports career:
3rd place at the 1995 World Championships, participant in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 2000 Sydney Olympics
Coaching career:
1995 beginning of coaching career at club level USK Prague - team of kids 11-14 years
1999 coach of junior national team for K1M and C1M category
2001 graduation from FTVS UK - major in coaching, specialization in canoeing
2006 - 2008 head coach of the Canadian junior team
2009 - 2020 coach of the Czech national team, personal coach of Jiří Prskavec Jr, Kateřina, Kudějová, Amálie Hilgertová, Lukáš Roman, Ondřej Tunka, Vít Přindiš.
2020 - present - head coach of the senior national team in water slalom, personal coach of Jiří Prskavec Jr. and Lukáš Roman.
Sport preparation of a water slalom racer at the top level
Mgr. Rudolf Rondzik
Profile of
Conditioning coach of Bohemians Praha 1905, author of the book KONDIČÁK and graduate of Palestra. He specializes in fitness training of professional footballers, return protocols after injuries, training load management and data work (GPS monitoring, speed and strength testing). He is also a lecturer in the field of strength and conditioning training, where he lectures for coaches and professionals in the private and public sector (e.g. FTVS UK, MUNI, coaching seminars and sports organizations).
Transition period as a key factor of performance in professional football
prof. PhDr. Jiří Suchý, Ph.D.
Profile of
Education
2020 - appointed Professor of Sport Education (UK FTVŠ)
2011 - appointed Associate Professor of Kinatropology (UK FTVS)
2004 - Ph.D. in Kinanthropology (UK FTVS)
2002 - PhDr. (UK FTVS)
1994 - 1999 - Mgr. (UK FTVS)
Work experience
from 2022 - UK PedF (Department of Physical Education)
2003 - 2022 - UK FTVS (Departments of Pedagogy, Psychology and Didactics of Sport)
2000 - 2003 - Coordinator of the Youth Sports Centres of the Czech Triathlon Federation
1998 - 1999 - teaching physical education at the gymnasium (while studying)
since 1995 - co-participation in the organization of a number of major international sporting events held in the Czech Republic (e.g. - European Triathlon Championships, World and European Cups in triathlon and duathlon, Czech Republic Championship and Cups in a number of sports)
Professional journals
editor-in-chief and member of the editorial board of Czech Kinanthropology
member of the editorial boards of professional journals - Studia Kinanthropologica, Acta Facultatis Education Physicae Universitatis Comenianae, Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica, Slovak Journal of Sport Science, Journal of Outdoor Activities
Selected professional activities
from 2023 - member of the working group of the National Childhood Obesity Prevention Programme - BE FIT 24
from 2021 - Chairman of the Methodological Commission of the Cross-Country Skiing Section of the Czech Ski Association
from 2020 - member of the Czech Society of Physical Education Teachers
2016 - 2017 - member of the Czech junior national cross-country skiing team
2016 - 2023 - Scientific Council of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport UK Bratislava
2014 - 2015 - Board of the UK Grant Agency (Social Sciences - Pedagogy and Psychology)
since 2018 - member of the Executive Committee of the Czech Kinantropological Society
2000 - 2003 - Chairman of the Methodology and Representation Commission and member of the Executive Committee of the Czech Triathlon Federation
Professional focus
training at higher altitudes, cross-country skiing, didactics of physical education and sport, pedagogical and leisure practices, sports training, endurance sports
Publication activity
More than 180 publications (7 monographs, 11 WOS and Scopus indexed articles, 4 H index)
Contact - 420 608 117 536, email@jirisuchy.cz, www.jirisuchy.cz
The use of higher altitude in the preparation of national cross-country skiing teams in the current Olympic cycle
Jiří Suchý1, Vasil Husák2, Jan Franc3
1 chairman of the Methodological Commission of the Institute of Methodology, Faculty of Education, Charles University
2 Coach of the Czech national cross-country skiing team (from 2025)
3 coach of the Czech (2017 - 2025), Slovak (from 2025) national cross-country skiing team
The paper starts by summarizing basic information and recommendations on the use of higher altitude in the training process in endurance sports. The main purpose of the presentation is to summarize the intentions and findings from the implementation of training camps at higher altitude in the current OH cycle for Czech cross-country athletes. Furthermore, the audience will learn about key aspects of training at altitude in the final preparation of the national teams for the 2026 Olympic Games. Specifics of diet, drinking and medical support in this environment will also be presented.
Section 3: Physiotherapy in athletes
PhDr. Mgr. Natálie Cibulková, Ph.D.
guarantor of the study programme Physiotherapy at the VŠTVS PALESTRA
Profile of
Physiotherapist and nutritional therapist. She graduated in Physiotherapy at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Charles University in Prague and in Nutrition Specialist at the 1st Medical Faculty of Charles University in Prague. She received her Ph.D. in Kinanthropology at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Charles University in Prague. She has her own private outpatient practice. She was a coach of junior and senior national team in synchronized swimming for several years, being herself a top athlete in synchronized swimming for 10 years with participation in European and world competitions. She has been a long time physiotherapist with the national team of disabled athletes in Boccia, where she is also a member of the Classifiers Commission.
Physiotherapy in disabled athletes
Mgr. Ludvík Maier
Profile of
2018-present - head physiotherapist of SK Slavia Prague, working in the A-team - care for injured players and coordination of their return
2016-2018 - physiotherapist at FC Slovan Liberec
2015-2016 - physiotherapist PVK Olymp Praha (volleyball women)
Graduate of FTVS UK
Criteria for return to play after injury
Bc. Jan Tomanek
Profile of
I'm a top athlete, a world champion in IRONMAN and a five-time world champion in IRONMAN 70.3. At the age of 15 I was involved in an unprovoked car accident, and I coped with the difficult situation and the acquired handicap in my own way. Today I am one of the most prominent figures in disability sport and I inspire those around me with my sporting achievements, which are often far more valuable than winning against my opponents. I participate in talks, motivational workshops and media events across the Czech Republic and my activities confirm that where there is a will, there is a way.
Physiotherapy in disabled athletes and specifics for elite athletes
Section 4: The Olympic Games and their links to national events
Alexandr Kliment
Profile of
He specializes in public relations, crisis communications and strategic brand direction in the professional sports environment. He currently manages communications for international cycling events such as the Czech Tour and the U23 Peace Race. He is a co-founder of the independent communications group Allrounders.
He has extensive experience in the Olympic movement, having managed the communications of the Czech Olympic Committee for six years, during the Olympic Games in Vancouver, London and Sochi. Since 2018, he has been the President of the Czech Olympic Academy. In the past, he also worked as a spokesman for the football club SK Slavia Prague. He has been a media consultant for a long time.
He graduated in journalism at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University. He holds a PhD from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Charles University. In his practice he follows Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's motto that perfection is achieved not when there is nothing to add, but when there is nothing to subtract.
Made in Czechia: The idea of Olympic festivals
About the lecture:
Made in Czechia: The idea of Olympic festivals
First time for fans: the Czech Olympic House in London 2012
Sochi 2014 and the Olympic Park in Prague Letná
Development of the park in the coming years, transformation into Olympic festivals
Dissemination of parks worldwide, cooperation with the International Olympic Committee
Zdeněk Škoda
Profile of
Expert in Olympic history, cultural agenda and archival work. Since 2013 he has been the Secretary of the Czech Olympic Academy and since 2018 also its Vice-Chairman. Within the Czech Olympic Committee he is involved in the development of the Olympic heritage, international cooperation, curatorship and management of the library of the Olympic Study and Information Centre.
He is the editor and co-author of the series of Retrospective Olympic Monographs 1896-1936 - the first Czech project systematically mapping the early Olympic Games. At the European level, he represents the Czech Republic in the European Olympic Academies, where he chaired the Olympic Heritage Commission from 2020-2024 and now serves as its Vice-Chairman.
He is a member of ISOH - International Society of Olympic Historians and cooperates with international institutions in the field of historical research and archives. He also serves as chairman of the jury of the SPORTFilm Liberec festival, is a member of the board of the Slovak Olympic and Sports Museum and advisor to the National Museum for Sports Collections.
100 years since the Olympic Congress in Prague
The paper summarizes the key moments of the VIII Olympic Congress held in Prague in 1925 -
the crucial forum at which Pierre de Coubertin concluded his era at the head of the IOC. The conference, divided into
technical and pedagogical part, opened up topics crucial for the further development of the Olympic movement: shortening
the length of the Games, the recognition of the Winter Olympics, the definition of amateurism, the commercialisation of sport or
the status of women. It also includes a look at the diplomatic background, the Czechoslovak role in the preparations and
social programme, which strengthened the international prestige of the young republic.
Veronika Zemanová
Profile of
Director of the International Department of the Czech Olympic Committee
International Relations Agenda, European Grants and Programmes, MPA Sports Diplomacy Training Programme.
Representative of the COC in the European Olympic Committees in the field of EU and international relations.
Executive Director of the European Youth Olympic Festival in Liberec 2029
Candidacy and organization of the multisport event EYOF 2029, European Youth Olympic Festival
- What is sports diplomacy and its tools
- Why organize sport events - benefit for the Czech Republic
- How the candidacy for EYOF 2029 was conducted
- What is involved in organising EYOF 2029
- How to get involved in the organisation
Section 5: Athlete nutrition
Ing. Matylda Malá
Profile of
CASRI
Ing. Matylda Malá is the head of the dietetic laboratory at CASRI, where she specializes in nutrition of top athletes - national teams of the Czech Republic, SCM and athletes of Olympus and Dukla - and also works with members of the Czech Army. She is engaged in nutritional consulting, applied services and research projects across the sports and military environment. He actively participates in professional conferences (including ECSS), contributes to studies, and leads a team that bridges practice and science in sports nutrition.
The use of glucose sensors in athletes
Recording of the presentation
Ing. Hana Střítecká, PhD.
Profile of
Nutritional therapist and chemical technologist. She focuses on general and sports nutrition, both in consulting practice (CASRI, BýtFitHK, FitBee) and in education of students at various universities (LF UK in HK, LF UPOL, FVL UNOB) or participants of courses on nutrition (WELKO, Nutrition Institute) and food quality. He has been popularizing evidence-based nutrition and healthy lifestyle for the public and professionals for a long time, cooperates with media in the field of food quality (Černé Ovce, A-dost, dTest). She is a long-standing vice-president of the Alliance of Nutrition Advisors of the Czech Republic, a member of the Society for Nutrition and an expert guarantor of the FÉR food project.
RED´s in context
Recording of the presentation
Ing. Mgr. Anna Štorková
Profile of
Nutritional therapist of the women's section of SK Slavia Praha, U12 - U17 FK Dukla Praha
Ing. Mgr. Anna Štorková is a nutritional therapist with a specialization from the 1st and 3rd Medical Faculty of Charles University in Prague and a graduate of the engineering program Nutrition and Food at the Czech University of Agriculture. She is currently working as a nutritional therapist for the women's section of SK Slavia Praha, youth U12 - U17 of FK Dukla Praha and BK Havlíčkův Brod. She cooperates with the elite hockey academy EHTC Aleš Hybner and she also worked in the selective boys academy AC Sparta Prague, where she worked as a nutritional therapist of players from categories U14 - U17 and actively participated in the education of parents and coaches. Her goal is to prepare young athletes for the transition to the world of adult sports in a fun and nutritional way. To overcome the accelerated growth period without injury and teach them what to put on their plate the day before a game, after a game or during the off-season so that they are well nourished without having to have a calculator in their head.
RED-S in women's soccer: A clinical perspective on prevention and targeted nutritional interventions
Optimal nutritional support in women's football remains an under-discussed topic in many clubs. Players and their parents often invest considerable resources in sports equipment, but quality nutrition and good eating habits to cover their increased energy requirements are still highly underestimated. Low energy availability (LEA) is a major risk factor for the development of relative energy deficiency syndrome in sport (RED-S). Adolescent and adult female soccer players may experience frequent musculoskeletal injuries, fatigue fractures, decreased immune function, hormonal imbalances, psychological problems or eating disorders as a result of LEA.
Nutritional intervention in female players with RED-S syndrome is based on a comprehensive assessment of nutritional intake, energy expenditure and clinical manifestations. A key part of the care is not only the collaboration with other professionals (physiotherapist, physician, psychologist, fitness trainer, etc.), but also practical education about the risks of low energy availability, regular monitoring of eating habits, sports load and body composition. Incorporating systematic nutritional counselling in the framework of RED-S prevention into the structure of a football club is a key step towards improving the health and performance of female players. The aim of this talk is to introduce the audience to the risks of low energy intake and RED-S syndrome, as well as practical nutritional strategies to promote not only overall health but also athletic performance.
Recording of the presentation
Bc. Jana Žídeková
Profile of
My passion for a healthy lifestyle and sport led me to study sports diagnostics and nutrition counselling years ago. I chose this field so that I could apply the latest knowledge and developments directly in practice. Thanks to many years of experience in competitive cycling, I also have a good understanding of how an athlete feels after many hours on the bike - and what his or her body really needs.
I focus on nutrition for athletes and active people who want to support their health, perform better or find their way to an optimal weight. I help clients with weight loss, gaining muscle mass and setting a balanced lifestyle. I believe that a combination of proper diet and exercise is the key to long term body and mind functioning.
Among my charges are or have been top athletes from various fields - for example, cyclists Roman Kreuziger, Daniel Turek, Kristián Hynek, Jan Strož, Tomáš Kozák and Nikola Flašarová, hockey player Miroslav Indrák or the A team of FC Viktoria Plzeň. I also cooperate with the Academy of Individual Sports, the UNIS project, the TAP triathlon academy and the FCVP football academy.
Training & Food: How to improve sports performance
Sports nutrition and its irreplaceable place in maximizing performance.
How to manage training, competitions, everyday life and at the same time manage to regenerate?
Sports nutrition is not only for professionals,but it is just as important for amateur athletes and for all those who live an active life and want to have enough energy.
What you will learn:
Principles of healthy nutrition and adaptation of diet according to the type of sport.
Differences in diet before competition, training or on rest days.
Energy replenishment before, during and after the race.
The aim of the lecture is to provide practical advice to help you get to grips with sports nutrition.
Recording of the presentation
