sport.idnes.cz/zoh2006/zoh06_ostatni.asp?r=zoh06_ostatni&c=A060209_202116_zoh06_ostatni_jamVerner gets himself a home video
Young man with videocamera goes next to the speedskater Martina Sablikova and asks: „How does it feel to break a world record? And then to break your own?“ No, it’s not a reporter. Only figure skater Tomas Verner talks to his colleague. „Shs smart. She tries to answer alwys differently,“ says with appreciation the 19year old athlete.
Tomas Verner’s camera is on all the time. „I want to share my experiences from Olympics at home. The memories will be fresher,“ he tells.
He enjoys the olympic atmosphere. „For me it is wonderful to walk through the olympic village with the czech logo on my chest. It is beautiful feeling. I’d wish that to every athlete.“ said Verner.
So everything is OK so far?
Except the first impression. It was bad because me and my coach were discharged in the middle of Torino and we were let alone three kilometer from the olympic village. Noone from the organization was around. We had to carry all the luggage and on the way there were quite a lot of obstacles like stairs or bridges. It wasn’t completely easy.
And when you came to the village the problems finished?
Here everything works perfectly. The accomodation is great. I was already practicing twice in the main rink, which is wonderful. it is not huge but also not small. It is optimal for our competition. Inside are nice colours and to me it seems comfortable and cosy. It influences wellbeing positively. We have our own fitness centre. The ice is great, though the organizators say that they have problems with making the figure sakting ice into speedskating and the other way, because it has different temperature.
So you are enjoying olympic atmosphere?
Of course, everything is great. I have heard, that some athletes don’t want to go to the opening ceremony. For me it is unimaginable, tha some don’t want to take part in the opening. I couldn’t miss it. Of course i am afraid that we are going to stand there for a long time, but I will dress myself pretty much and properly. But I didn’t want to miss it.
Are you enjoying the atmosphere the same as your practice and competition?
It is strange. When I am approaching the stadium, the nervousness grows. But in the village I am absorbing the atmosphere, I am enjoying it as much as i can. When I come to the rink I know I am not here for fun but to show my skating.
Which athletes have you managed to get to know? There are not many czechs so far...
That is more sad, because majority of the teams has many athletes here and we are quite uncomplete here, because the hockey team is only to come. You can’t see many czech uniforms here. I am looking forward to them when they come.
You managed to meet at least Martina Sablikova (
speed skater), no?
We have practices in different times but we met. We go to lunch and dinner together so there we can talk. We are the same age so we have topics to speak about.
What are the topics of your discussions?
I am asking her about the world records she broke, how does it feel. We are both skaters, but different ones. She is really smart and clever.
Are you talking about medals too?
No. It would be very one.sided talk, because Martina is a medal favorit. I would be if many things happened. it doesn’t go so quickly in figure skating. I will see how will I coninue. I don’t belong among the favorites. but I didn’t come to Torino to be at the end!
What are your concrete goals before the competition?
I won’t say that but I set them. Come after the competition and I will say how far or close it is from my ambitions.
Do you feel in a good shape?
During the prctice I do. I jump well and I feel confidence. I like competition practices. there is atmosphere already, but man is not binded with the stress and nerves. It is fine on the ice. So far it says I’m OK and don't have any problems.
Are you observing the practices of more famous rivals?
Not very much. I try to concentrate on my practice and don’t loook around. But when i go to run on the tribune I am looking at the others.
What are the relationships between the skaters?
There is rivalry at the competitions, but we are friends. We know each other quite well. You remember thirty faces. Thre is always something to talk about. With al of them. But we don’t go out together before the competitions. Maybe outside of them, outside fights for medals.
Do you take the olympic competition that it could mean a break in your carer?
I want to skate well. I concentrate on this and don’t look around. I don’t count numbers and order.
At the European championships in Lyon you finished 10th. And you criticized your free program a lot. Did you learn from your mistakes?
I was very critical to myself, because iI felt it. It was right after the competition. A lot of things can happen. I practice to not make the same silly mistakes as in Lyon. We discussed with my coach what we could improve. I dedn’t make mistakes in practice so hopefully they shouldn’t appear in the competition.