Prague 2016 European Capital of Sport 0 Mayor’s foreword One of my main duties as the Mayor of Prague is continuous development of the city, steady enhancement of its public facilities and improvements of the level of services for both the citizens of Prague and its visitors. One of the key areas of this development is the area of sport and its infrastructure which we see not only as a tool for the economic growth of the city, but also as a sensible and healthy way for our citizens to spend their free time. As a long-time sportsman, I myself well know that not only can sport help with physical and mental development, but also strengthen the bonds among the members of a community and improve their relationships. That is also the reason why we support sport and the Olympic values and ideals through a wide variety of promotional events and projects. Our goal is to give people in Prague the opportunity to engage in sports activities and attract to it children and young people who are starting to incline to an unhealthy lifestyle. Primary and secondary schools in Prague have sports grounds, the development and modernization of which is supported through considerable investments. For recreational sportsmen, there are public sports grounds, bike trails, parks and other infrastructure. Prague is also the home of many sport clubs that produced world renowned athletes like Emil Zátopek, Martina Navrátilová or Pavel Nedvěd. These three and many other prominent figures of Czech sport are setting a good example for many people not only in Prague and the Czech Republic, but everywhere else around the world. I am certain that Prague is a good candidate for being the European Capital of Sport for 2016. Receiving this prestigious award would for us and the whole city of Prague mean not only an acknowledgement of our efforts in the development of sport and its integration into everyday life in the city, but also more motivation for continuing in this work. Tomáš Hudeček – Mayor of Prague 1 Other supporters of the candidacy Dalibor Štys – Minister of Education “Prague’s candidacy for European Capital of Sport 2016 is a great opportunity for improving the position of sports in the area of education even further, and as such has my full support.” Jiří Kejval - President of the Czech Olympic Committee “The values that are represented sport, have undoubtedly had a positive overlap into everyday life. They're just values like fair play, enjoyment of exercise and sharing experiences with others that deserve constant emphasis. Sport and sports infrastructure in Prague based on these values, and therefore the support of my candidacy." Martin Doktor – Czech Olympic Committee sports director, two-time Olympic winner and world champion in canoe sprint racing “Prague is a city that offers a lot of opportunities not just for water-sports enthusiasts but for everyone no matter what their sport of choice, age or physical condition is.” Kateřina Neumannová – Olympic winner and world champion in cross-country skiing. “Prague is a beautiful, attractive city with a rich history and a long tradition of sports. The title of the European Capital of Sport is one it undoubtedly deserves.” Tomáš Rolinek – ice-hockey player, captain of the world championship winning team “I fully support Prague’s candidacy for the European Capital of Sport. I know from my own experience that it is easy to find all sorts of affordable sporting activities for all social groups in the city.” Lukáš Vorel – European Capital of Sport Association delegate, member of the election committee “I hope that my colleagues will listen to my advice and make the right decision. Prague certainly deserves the title.” 2 Presentation of the city of Prague 3 General Information 4 Major representatives of the Prague city candidature for European Capital of Sport 2016 Oldřich Vlasák – Vice-President of the European Parliament Oldřich Vlasák advocates for the interests of self- governing municipalities, cities and regions in the EU. Volleyball, cycling and sport in general are his passions. He was also working as a volunteer for Mountain Rescue Service for 15 years. Tomáš Hudeček – Mayor of Prague Tomáš Hudeček is the main representative of the city and is responsible for planning, execution and evaluation of development of the city. He is generally responsible for improvement of the quality of life in the city including sport , culture and leisure time opportunities. Petr Bříza – Chairman of the Sport Committee Petr Bříza is the chairman of the Prague city Sport Committee. He is responsible for preparation of grant policy and coordination of application process and promotion of sporting possibilities in the city. Petr Bříza is former top ice hockey goalkeeper who won bronze medal at the winter Olympics in Albertville 1992. Lukáš Manhart – Prague Councilor for Sport Lukáš Manhart is the Prague city Councilor and the main authority of the Sport Department. He is in charge of sport infrastructure development, investments into the sport infrastructure and cooperation with public, private and non- governmental sport clubs and institutions. 5 Presentation of the city 1/2 Prague is the capital of the Czech It is precisely this rich cultural heritage and other Republic, the largest city in the Czech free-time activities what attracts millions of Republic and the 15th largest in the EU. It tourists from all around the world every year (in is the seat of the President, the 2012, more than 5 million people visited Government and central state authorities. Prague). But Prague is not just a centre of executive The city’s administration is very well aware of the power. It is also a sporting and economic importance of maintaining and continually centre of the Czech Republic. It houses for increasing the quality of life in Prague and example also the National Museum, State preserving the atmosphere which is the main Opera, the largest state-of-the-art stadiums reason why people visit. That is why in the country, many public parks, an considerable sums of money are being invested important international airport (the Prague into projects that are aimed at maintaining and Václav Havel Airport), Czech National Bank developing cultural life, green areas (ČNB) and many other institutions of both throughout the city, sports infrastructure etc. national and international importance. in the forms of financial support, promotional Prague is a multicultural city that has campaigns, support of local festivals and other more than 1.2 million inhabitants 15% of activities. which are foreigners (among the most Sport in Prague is practised both recreationally common minorities are Germans, and professionally. There is a whole variety of Ukrainians and Vietnamese). sports clubs and associations that actively use Every year, Prague ranks among the 10 the city’s modern sports infrastructure. More than most visited cities in Europe and every year 200,000 Prague citizens are registered it also shows above-average figures when it members of these clubs, but their sports comes to quality of life of its citizens. grounds are available also to the general Its historical city centre with its unique view public. This means that the actual number of of the Prague Castle, the largest complex citizens engaged in sports is much higher. of its kind in the world, is a UNESCO World Jogging, football, skating, swimming and fitness Heritage Site. are among the most popular sports in Prague. 6 Presentation of the city 2/2 The uniqueness and appeal of Prague is rooted in its diversity. A visitor who decides to come to Prague to spend Charles Bridge is Prague’s oldest bridge still in existence, his or her free time can take a walk built in the Gothic style in the across centuries and admire the mid-14th century. transformations of European architecture over a thousand years. Students from all countries, and not just the Czech Republic, can attend Prague Castle is one of the oldest universities in the most important heritage site in the Europe and flip through their books in country and one of the ancient halls of the National the largest castle Library. For visitors of congresses and complexes in the conferences, Prague boasts modern world. Many monuments and infrastructure and a Congress artistic marvels can Centre that seats almost 9,000 be found in several people. Simply put, Prague always has of the Castle’s something to offer to all groups of public areas. It is also part of the citizens and visitors. Thanks to Historic Centre of convenient distribution across the city Prague which is and a complex network of public inscribed on the UNESCO World transport (underground, tramways, Heritage List. buses and cable-way), culture, sport, The Prague Congress Centre with a capacity public parks and other ways of of 9,000 people spending leisure time are easily annually holds many accessible to all citizens and visitors. congresses, conferences and The historic building of the Charles University performances. One of the was founded in 1348 and is used to this day dominants of for the ceremony of awarding diplomas and the centre of for hosting lectures. Prague is the baroque St. Nicholas church. Its green tower is an inseparable part of the Prague Castle skyline. Letná Park is a favourite destination of both locals and visitors of Prague. Apart from ideal A building nicknamed The spots for relaxation it Dancing House is the work of two also has a lot to offer architects, F. Gehry and V. to cyclists, joggers, Milunič. It stands alongside the skateboarders, National Technical Library and skaters and others. The international classical music other buildings as an example of festival Pražské jaro (Prague Prague’s modern architecture.