Nothing helps promote a championships and pack in the crowds like having some home medal prospects and the organisers of the Banska Bystrica European Athletics U18 Championships, which will be held from 18-21 July, are looking to Laura Frličková to help provide that impetus next month.
Last weekend, at the Slovak U18 Championships in Banska Bystrica on the same track – provided by European Athletics Partner and Preferred Supplier Conica – that will stage to next month’s continental event, Frličková clocked a national U18 100m hurdles best of 13.37 in her heat and then astonished everyone when she flew to a world-leading 13.14 in the final.
The eye-opening time – which moves her up to fifth on the European U18 all-time list – makes her the gold medal favourite over the 76.2cm barriers.
"I was very pleased with 13,14,” said Frličková rather modestly after her second outing.
“Myself and my coach [Luboš Komárek] certainly did not expect such a great time. In this sense, I have already fulfilled my plan for the season. At the same time, I think that time can still be reduced.
"I assume that to win a medal it will be necessary to run under 13.40, maybe even under 13.30, but rather around 13.35.
"The first position in the world ranking shows that I have a chance for a good result. And if the championships don't go as I expect then I'm still young and it would just be a new experience."
Looking at the calibre of her rivals, Frličková may need to run close to her personal best or even faster – with the championship record belonging to Great Britain’s Mia McIntosh at 13.05 from the last edition in Jerusalem two years ago – if she is stand on top of the podium and have the Slovak national anthem played in her honour in front of her family and friends who will undoubtably flock to see her from her home city Martin, just 70km away from Banska Bystrica.
Just one week ago, Finland’s Enni Virjonen ran 13.16 although the 2023 European Youth Olympic Festival heptathlon bronze medallist may choose to focus on the multi-event discipline, for which she will also be expected to be a medal contender, as the Banska Bystrica timetable isn’t very accommodating with regards to doubling with the 100m hurdles.
Also, last weekend Great Britain’s 17-year-old Thea Brown ran 13.28 over the senior barriers at the famed Mannheim U20 international in Germany for a British U18 best to propel herself into medal consideration as well.
However, having support among the spectators at the SNP Stadium Dukla will also be to Frličková’s advantage.
"Before the race, I can't be immersed in myself and I need to unwind in the company of my family or friends, not to be 100% focused only on the upcoming run. I used to be disturbed by the presence of loved ones, but now I'm glad to feel the support and hear encouragement during the run itself."
While able to dispel the pressure of being Slovakia’s top teenage hurdler, she does admit to a slight tendency to acquire red cards.
"From a young age. I’ve sometimes false started. This is probably my biggest concern before the continental championship. However, I have wonderful parents, a coach, friends. With their support, I should be able to handle it all.''
Frličková’s also has a role model in 2023 World University Games 100m hurdles champion and Roma 2024 finalist Viktoria Forster, the Slovak record holder with 12.72 who is still only 22.
Acting as her mentor, Forster actually advised Frličková on what spikes to wear before her record-breaking runs last week and if the latter continues her upward trajectory, starting at the European Athletics U18 Championships, expect to see them as teammates at senior championships sometime soon.
Miki Kocan and Phil Minshull for European Athletics (Photos: Slovak Athletic Federation - Jaroslav Čermák / David Duducz)