Arnost Petracek

Started: He began swimming in 2000 in Lipno nad Vltavou, Czechia. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2017) Reason: He took up swimming to help with his rehabilitation. "My parents had a boarding house in Lipno and there was a 12.5m long swimming pool. For me, it was a journey from rehabilitation to elite sports." (seznamzpravy.cz, 26 Aug 2021; Athlete, 05 Dec 2017) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (paralympic.cz, 28 Apr 2023) Awards: He was named Para Athlete of the Year for 2016 and 2022 by the Czech Paralympic Committee. (paralympic.cz, 05 Apr 2023, 21 Feb 2017) In 2019 he was named among the Top 10 Para Athletes of the Year by the Czech Association of Athletes with an Impairment [CSTPS]. (cstps.cz, 18 Feb 2020) He was named the 2013 Para Athlete of the Year in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia. (jindrichohradecky.denik.cz, 15 Apr 2014) Additional Info: FUTURE PLANS He plans to stay involved with the sport after he retires from competition. "I have a degree in management and marketing, so I would really like to end up in a sports environment. I will definitely not swim until I am 60. If it turns out well, I might compete in my 40s, even if it's only for my health. Maybe I could actually go to another Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028." (paralympic.cz, 28 Apr 2023; cnn.iprima.cz, 25 Oct 2021) FURTHER EDUCATION He has studied economics at the Institute of Technology and Business in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia. (idnes.cz, 24 Apr 2023, 25 Jan 2016)