The Czech Republic signed the official application for
participation in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing on
Thursday.
President Vaclav Klaus and Czech Olympic Committee head Milan
Jirasek signed the application document at Prague Castle, the
presidential seat.
Former and current Czech athletes, including world decathlon
champion Roman Sebrle and javelin triple Olympic gold medalist Jan
Zelezny, as well as sport officials attended the event.
Klaus, a keen sport fan and an active sportsman, confirmed his
words.
"These games will be extraordinary. They will be observed more
than usually. I would be glad if they were recollected primarily in
connection with Czech athletes' successes," said Klaus.
Some 36 Czech athletes have been confirmed for the Olympic team
now. Most nominations will be specified next year.
"We expect the Czech Olympic team to comprise some 130 to 140
athletes plus those accompanying them, so the whole delegation
might have some 230 people in total," Jirasek added.
(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2007)