Heptathlete Klučinová throws crutches away and looks forward to Olympics












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            * Heptathlete Klučinová throws crutches away and looks forward to Olympics
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            November 11, 2011, by: Katarína Železná, Photo: Jan Šátek, Section: Students

            For four years she suffered pain. In the last one she could hardly walk. Finally, the Czec
            record holder Eliška Klučinová decided to undergo a risky surgery in June to have a maluni
            her left foot. After a four-month recovery break she is training at full speed again to be

            dream come true and take part in the London Olympics next season. “I once again feel like 
            will finally start enjoying it,” says the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education student 
            in the European Championships in Barcelona.


            I hear you almost became a javelin thrower because of your health problems. Is it correct?

            If the pain in my foot had continued and I couldn’t run, I would probably have switched to
            I probably would not make it to world-class level. I would only compete nationally.
            Maybe you don’t have enough faith in yourself?

            Well, it is tempting, definitely. Frankly, the heptathlon is very tough. To run 800 metres
            my build is not easy at all. (laughs)
            Did you ever consider quitting because of your health problems?

            The foot pain troubled me for four years and it was really bad in the last two. I couldn’t
            shoes on even for a whole training session. I always had to take the shoe off between indi
            and walk barefoot because it was unbearable. After the spring training camp in Africa I co

            So I was deciding whether to have an operation which often fails or to quit track and fiel
            You did not train for four months. What did you do during that long pause?
            I enjoyed my first summer vacation after a long time. I went to the Croatian seaside twice

            camping with my mum and sister and then yachting. I really enjoyed myself and did things I
            have the time to do: I went roller-skating, cycling… It is not a bad thing to take the occ
            from track and field.

            So you weren’t bored?
            Not really, one does keep oneself busy. (laughs)
            But still, did you look forward to running into the track and field stadium again?

            I was tempted so I at least worked out a bit. Interestingly, I did not miss running too mu
            miss the feeling when you finish a training session and all the endorphins kick in.
            What was your first training session like? Did it hurt?

            It did! When one does not work out for several months, everything hurts. Now I have got us
            back into the old rhythm. But more importantly I keep saying to myself: “What hurts makes 
            Can the break help you physically? The body is rested and can take more…

            I believe that sport and every performance is primarily a matter of the mind. Above all I 
            rest and that might help me. For four years I suffered pain and now I have instilled new b
            veins and I feel like training again. Maybe it won’t hurt and I will finally enjoy the tra

            The coming season will have two peaks in the summer: before the Olympics, the European Cha
            be held. Will you take part in both?
            I’m planning to prepare for both events. I will stand better chances in the European Champ

            though not many contenders will be absent, maybe none of them. And the Olympics – that’s p
            athlete’s dream…
            Will the European Championships be a priority for you?

            Yes. Even though the Olympics are the highlight of the year, the Championships will be the
            for me so I will prepare for that in every way. Above all I would like to defend the seven
            Barcelona from 2010.

            What does your training look like?
            First of all I will finish a training camp in Zadov and at the end of November our group i
            Africa. When we return I will have the screws and a titanium plate removed from my foot. I

            foreign objects in my body, even earrings. So it is better to have them removed. Besides, 
            in my foot does not even increase my value. (laughs)
            Is it a problem when you are running?

            I have bought softer shoes and so far it does not get in the way. I have a whole collectio
            because of that. But still I will have that operation by Christmas, at least I can enjoy C
            foot up. And then? I will start working hard again.

            Do you think you will be beeping at the airport with a metal plate in your foot?
            (laughs) It would seem so… I hope they will not make me take off my shoes everywhere and s
            am prepared for that eventuality. I have not flown on an airplane with it yet, so I am cur
                                                                                                      
            Eliška Klučinová (*April 14, 1988, Prague)                                                
            A year ago she evened up the Czech heptathlon record (6268 points) as part of the TNT – Fo
            of the Fast Girls Group she is preparing with indoor 400-metres European Champion Denisa R
                                                                                                      
            University Faculty of Sport and Physical Education. After long term health problems she un
            months. Currently she is preparing for the upcoming season.