Unveiling of the Věra Čáslavská Statue in Prague

Recently, a statue of Věra Čáslavská, a famous and talented Czech gymnast, was unveiled. The statue was created by the renowned artist David Černý and is currently on display at Tyrš House in Prague.

Věra Čáslavská, who passed away in 2016, had an extraordinary career as a gymnast and sports coach. She became a seven-time Olympic champion, four-time world champion, eleven-time European champion, and four-time Czechoslovak Athlete of the Year. As one of the few athletes to win gold medals in two consecutive Olympic Games, Věra was one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
She played a significant role not only in sports but also in politics, bravely opposing the Czechoslovak communist regime through protest gestures, and playing a significant role in the country’s democratization process after the Velvet Revolution.
Věra Čáslavská was, therefore, a prominent figure in Czechoslovak sports and the nation’s history.

David Černý personally knew Věra, and they had previously discussed the possibility of placing the statue at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. David even contacted the Japanese Emperor, who gave a promising response. However, following her death, the artist decided to turn the work into a proper tribute to her. With the advent of COVID-19 and the consequent Olympics without an audience, the artist postponed the realization to 2024, during the Paris Olympics. This year, the work was exhibited at the Czech House, a reception and promotion center for the Czech Republic during international events.

The statue, with its great visual and symbolic impact, is characterized by its large dimensions, standing around ten meters tall and weighing 7.5 tons. Artistically, the work is made of stainless steel, a material that reflects light and gives the statue a dynamic and modern appearance. The colors mirror those of the Czech flag (white, red, and blue). The structure is quite original: depending on the viewing angle, only one figure is visible, while the others seem to vanish. The work symbolizes Věra’s gymnastic movements and represents her athletic successes.

The construction and creation of the statue were financially supported by the investment group Rockaway Capital. The group’s founder, Jakub Havrlant, expressed enthusiasm, considering the project a perfect opportunity to enrich public space with Czech art. According to Havrlant, the work will attract not only local tourists but also international visitors.

The location of the statue at Tyrš House, in the Újezd district, is not coincidental, as it was in that area that Věra trained during her career.
Martin Chlumský, the mayor of the ČOS (Czech Olympic Committee), proudly expressed his satisfaction regarding the statue’s exhibition at Tyrš House. The ČOS president, Jiří Kejval, also shared his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing Věra Čáslavská’s significant role in Czechoslovak sports.

The statue of Věra Čáslavská, therefore, strengthens the bond between art and sport. It is marked by its notable aesthetic and perceptual impact and serves as a tribute to an athlete who deeply influenced Czech history. With its dynamism and originality, it has become an important cultural landmark capable of attracting visitors from all over the world.

Sources: https://praguemorning.cz/; https://www.idnes.cz/; https://sokol.eu/; https://www.wikipedia.org/