The family of sprint paddler Anezka Paloudova are ready to embark on an inspiring kayaking trip to see her compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and mark the centenary of a Czech sporting legend’s famous journey to the French capital.
Paloudova is preparing to make her Olympic debut after securing a place in the women’s kayak single 500m at the European Olympic qualifier in Szeged, Hungary in May.
Before sealing her spot, her father Tomas, brother Mikolas and sister Karolina had already set themselves the challenge of paddling to Paris.
SK Vltava Český Krumlov Chairman Tomas Palouda, the father of Paloudova, wanted to do the 400-kilometre journey in memory of Emerich Rath who kayaked the same route 100 years ago.
Paloudova said her family’s decision to take on this challenge further motivated her to secure a ticket to Paris.
“It is very inspiring,” said Paloudova.
“When they first told me that they were going to make this journey, they said we don’t want to give you any pressure, but they made me feel like I had to really go for it even more and try to qualify.
“At the time when I found out about it last year, my boyfriend (Josef Dostal) had won a quota for the Czech Republic and we thought he would be racing at the Olympics, but I didn’t have the quota yet.
“I wasn’t best adept to win the quota at the European qualifier, so I was really surprised when I did.
“The fact they are deciding to visit the Olympics will be a great experience for them and this journey is going to be a great adventure.
“This is not only for me, but also definitely for Emerich Rath and all the history of Czech paddling.”
Rath was an incredible all-rounder, competing in sports including athletics, boxing, canoeing, ice hockey and field hockey, speed skating, wrestling, football, rugby, swimming, ski jumping, mountaineering and Alpine skiing.
The Czech-born athlete represented Austria at two Olympic Games, participating in the marathon at both London 1908 and Stockholm 1912.
In 1924, Rath was personally congratulated by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, after completing an amazing solo journey in his kayak.
Rath paddled down the River Seine for 360km in support of the Olympic Games and the promotion of canoeing that was introduced as a demonstration sport at Paris 1924.
Palouda, Mikolas and Karolina will be joined by Ondrej Koska who is from the Czech village of Broumov where Rath lived and wanted to help mark the centenary.
The group plan to set off from Czechia to France by car on July 26 – the day of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.
They are then aiming to take to the water on July 27 in Vaurois located in the French region of Burgundy-Franche-Comté where they will begin their challenge.
The group is scheduled to arrive on the River Seine in Paris on August 3.
“We are going to start paddling on July 27 so we want to make 60km a day,” said Karolina.
“It going to be hard but I think we can do it.”
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