The International Film Festival is over, but the world stars will soon return to Karlovy Vary. In September, the spa centre will once again host the World Cup in Olympic triathlon, which was attended by Olympic champions and world champions in the past.
Only instead of the red carpets that Hollywood actors used to walk on, the blue ones characteristic for triathlon races will be rolled out on the weekend of September 8-10. It is not only this contrast that the organizers of the CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary race point out in a funny video that was made during the International Film Festival and is now circulating on social networks.
Its filming was accompanied by puzzled looks, laughter and curiosity. The main character, played by professional hockey player František Mála, was dressed in probably the craziest outfit seen during this year’s festival – he walked on the red carpet in front of the Thermal Hotel in a triathlon uniform, which he wore to the Great Hall. For the evening party at International Film Festival, he wore a black wetsuit and a bright pink swimming cap.
“At times the filming had a Borat-like, somewhat absurd dimension, because nobody knew about it except a small crew and a few members of the festival management. Not even the cashiers, the audience in the hall or the guests at the parties. And the most surprising were probably the viewers in the Czech Television studio,” says with a smile Vladimír Malý, the director of the CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary event, which, in addition to the prestigious World Cup, also includes races for the public and children.
Apart from his work with the Chomutov Pirates ice hockey team, Mála is also popular for another reason – he and his friend Daniel make funny videos on Instagram and TikTok. They already have tens of thousands of fans. “Can I take your picture? I’ll hang it up in the booth,” laughed Mala´s teammates who met him at the festival wearing a tight triathlon uniform.
The Karlovy Vary race attracted attention with its video last year, when it captured the attention of triathlon fans with a funny remake of the film Vrchní, prchni, in which the main role of the fleeing Dalibor Vrana was played by Red Bull Air Race pilot Petr Kopfstein. He then took part in the race himself.
This year, triathletes will be able to meet František Mála at the start. “We are in contact with, for example, marathoner Marcela Joglová, tennis player Barbora Strýcová, but also with the Czech Olympic Committee. But I cannot confirm any names yet,” Malý said.
Three days of racing
CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the Czech Republic. The sports programme starts on Friday with the pupil races, on Saturday the Geis Baby Duathlon for the youngest children and especially the Age Groups race, which is intended for the general public.
Recreational athletes can enjoy a 750-metre swim in the Rolava leisure complex, 20 km of cycling through the beautiful spa centre with the iconic climb to Zámecký vrch and finally a five-kilometre flat run around the renovated Imperial Spa House. The race centre and finish are situated on the beautiful Theatre Square.
On Sunday, the whole programme culminates with the Olympic distance World Cup race, featuring the best triathletes on the planet as well as elite Czech athletes. You will be able to watch it live on ČT Sport, but also from the grandstand directly on Divadelní náměstí, in front of which a large LED screen will be prepared.