Prague’s Troja course has always been Jiri Prskavec’s playground.
From climbing trees and building bunkers as a child to paddling every morning as he learnt his trade and winning in front of a partisan crowd, the Czech venue holds a special place in Prskavec’s heart.
Sitting in a room within the impressive boathouse, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion reflects on joyful moments experienced at the Troja course that have shaped his sporting career and life.
The Czech star also remembers the bad times as the venue was devastated by a catastrophic flood that swept through Prague in August 2002.
He calls it his second home and it’s easy to see why when he talks about his history at the course.
“I pretty much grew up here,” said Prskavec.
“I started paddling here as my dad was coaching and my first school was just one kilometre from here.
“I would always finish school and walk here to find my dad and play around here.
“I guess the earliest memory I can think of was when me and my friend from school were here when it was a construction site at the time.
“We built a bunker behind there and we found all sorts of wood around here, so built our playground here.”
On the water, Prskavec made the most of every time he could get to improve his paddling.
“I remember my summers I would come here in the morning and would spend so much time here on the water, playing with friends,” said Prskavec.
“We wouldn’t call it a session, we would just be paddling.
“We spent a lot of time on the water, and I think that is very important in an athlete’s life to just play and figure out stuff on your own, not being coached. I think that’s the big bonus of this course.”
The Troja slalom course was built in the early 1990s, sourcing water from the Vltava River that flows through the heart of Prague.
It has established itself as one of the most popular venues on the circuit, becoming a regular stop in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series and staging the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2006 and 2013.
Both of those World Championships have had a lasting impression on Prskavec in different ways.
Aged 13, Prskavec had a helping hand in the delivery of the event while watching his heroes from the banks.
“I remember being part of the organisation of the World Championships in 2006 as I was at the start holding the athletes,” said Prskavec.
“I would be on a raft holding the stern so they can relax before the start.
“Seeing all those top athletes here pushed me and gave me that extra motivation to really want to be there.”
Nine years later, Prskavec returned to Troja not as a volunteer but as a contender.
Prskavec finished second behind Czech star Vavrinec Hradilek in the men’s kayak final as he won his first world medal.
“I will never forget the World Championships in 2013,” said Prskavec.
“It was my first medal on this course, and only my second major race here.
“Vavrinec was a superstar back then.
“He had won a medal at the previous Olympics and there was a very big grandstand.
“I don’t think we will ever top that again. It was huge.
“I made it to the final, had a really good run and I finished second behind Vavrinec and the crowd was super pumped.”
Fast forward a further 13 years and Prskavec has many more magical moments to regale in what has been a glittering career so far.
Prskavec is a double Olympic medallist, winning gold at Tokyo 2020 and bronze at Rio 2016, and a five-time world champion.
He has experienced huge highs in the sport but there is nothing he enjoys more than competing on home waters.
“When I race here in front of my home crowd, it’s always different compared to the other venues,” said Prskavec.
“I always get pushed by the crowd.
“I wouldn’t say the runs are as smooth as I would like to have them, but the atmosphere lifts your performance.
“Once you finish and you have a good run, it’s always super nice.”
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