The home nation has named a record 39 athletes for the European Athletics U18 Championships which take place in Banská Bystrica on 18-21 July.
The team, plus the medals for this month’s prestigious event, were unveiled at a special press conference at the Slovak Olympic and Sports Museum in the House of Sport in Bratislava on Tuesday (9).
The three features of the medals are the central motif capturing the SNP Square in the central Slovak metropolis and the logos of the Slovak Athletics Association (SAZ) and the event itself.
Motivate and encourage
"As the host country, we had the privilege of nominating one competitor in each discipline in which we were without limit,” said U18 national team coach Milan Laurenčík.
“We planned in advance to give such an experience, emotion and competition to as many competitors as possible. Even those who did not demonstrate performance sufficient to meet the limit, but came very close to it.
“We want to motivate and encourage them in the future in this way. Of course, it would not be appropriate - rather counterproductive - to use this benefit recklessly."
Slovakia’s previous biggest representation at these championship came in Gyor 2018 with 25 donning their national vest. In total, 1,190 participants are set to represent 48 countries at Banska Bystrica, another historic record for the event.
World leader Frlickova optimistic
Carrying the biggest medal hope for the home nation is 100m hurdler Laura Frličková, who leads the world U18 lists for 2024 with 13.14.
"The first position in the world tables shows that I have a chance for a good result,” she said at the press conference. “I take it as if the championship didn't turn out as I expected, I'm still young and it would just be a new experience.
“Last year I managed to reach the finals at the EYOF (European Youth Olympics Festival) in Maribor (Slovenia). Now I consider reaching the final to be the smallest possible success.
Another home hope is Lenka Gymerská, who won silver at the EYOF over 400m in 2022. "My goal is a medal at least,” she said. “I definitely want to get as close as possible to the winning time.
“Alternatively, set it yourself, of course. What will it be worth? We'll see, but personally I have the ambition to get under 54 seconds, which would be a new Slovak record in my age category. Maybe it would be enough for some podium placement."
Springboard for Gajanova
Slovakia’s Gabriela Gajanová recently set the blueprint for success for the home nation, winning silver in the women’s 800m at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships. Her first ever international medal came at these championships, winning bronze over two laps eight years ago.
"I'm glad that my generation was the first to have the opportunity to meet the best in Europe and fight for continental medals already in the teenage category. It had a big impact on my further career. That result from Tbilisi 2016 still holds an important place in my sports hierarchy, it was a springboard," she said.
"I hope that as many fans as possible will buy tickets, come to cheer on our athletes and meet the future stars. It is a big deal for Slovak athletics that it is hosting such an important event."
All-day ticket to the covered main grandstand for an adult costs €12 per session, and a season ticket for all four days of the championship costs €40.