Photo: Agáta Faltová, Czech Radio
Twenty-five years ago today the Czech national hockey team won gold at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano Japan. We spoke with all-star goaltender Dominik Hašek who helped lead the Czech team to glory, about how he remembers the game against Russia, what it meant for him and all of Czechia, and how he’s hoping for another gold medal in Czech hockey.
“What a day it was, not only a day, but a great experience, a great tournament, and these are memories I will never ever forget. I was so proud of our team and all the people around me, and I was so proud of Czech hockey and the country, the celebration was just unbelievable.”
The Czech World Juniors just won a silver medal against Canada at the recent tournament, are you hopeful that another gold medal is in the works at the Olympics?
“Sure, the gold medal is coming. I don’t know if it will be in the Olympics, it’s only every four years, and it’s not easy, but I believe we will win the gold medal again, I don’t know if it’s going to be the junior team or the men’s team, but I believe we will win the World Championship. It won’t happen every year of course, but I believe we will win the gold medal again.”
See the rest here.
Author: Amelia Mola-Schmidt