April 18, 2008

2008 EUROPEAN FAIR PLAY PLAQUE of MERIT and DIPLOMA (Individuals) MIROSLAV PODBORSKÝ (CZE)

The Czech representative in quadrathlon and 11 times world champion received the European Plaque of Merit and Diploma, announced by EFPM.

Daniel Corner surprisingly ended the long-standing dominance of Miroslav Podborský in quadrathlon. The multiple world champion and Czech veteran lost to the English competitor only in the final running stage. Before that, however, he demonstrated a remarkable example of sportsmanship.

The forty-one-year-old Podborský had won the short-distance championship every year since 1999. In the race, he kept pace with the unexpected winner after the 1.5 km swim, 7 km kayak leg, and 40 km cycling section, but he could not keep up in the final 10 km run.

It was precisely this last phase of the race where Podborský had usually built up a sufficient lead in the past, which is why his running weaknesses had not been so apparent. “I know that running is my weakest discipline,” said the Czech quadrathlete, but he immediately acknowledged his opponent’s strength: “He was surprisingly consistent in all disciplines. What surprised me the most was that he maintained the pace even on the bike. In the run, he was clearly better,” said Podborský, who nevertheless secured another national title.

However, the surprising winner Corner did not celebrate his victory as much, as he was completely “paralyzed” by Podborský’s sense of fair play. The overly meticulous organizers delayed the Briton during the transition to the final discipline because everything had not gone according to the exact rules—Corner had entered the transition area from the wrong side.

Instead of taking advantage of his opponent’s mistake and breaking away, Podborský waited for him. In the end, he lost to him.

“What Miroslav did, I have never seen in my life—I have the deepest admiration for him,” said Corner, who “saluted” the Czech athlete at the finish line.