Another IAAF Diamond League javelin victory for Barbora Spotakova (© Gladys Chai von der Laage)
Next up for our work, rest and play questions is two-time Olympic javelin champion and world record-holder Barbora Spotakova.
The dog lover and punk rocker made a winning return to serious competition at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Rome last Thursday, after giving birth to her son Jan – partly named after her coach and javelin great Jan Zelezny – last summer.
BARBORA AT WORK
What is your favourite training session?
Barbora Spotakova: It depends on my actual mood but mostly running, running the hurdles and throwing the javelin.
What is your least favourite training session?
BS: Most of the time, I don’t like weightlifting or shot put training.
What are your three favourite things about being an athlete?
BS: The fact that my job is my hobby; I can be a master of my time and that I get the chance to reveal my competitivness.
Who is your favourite training partner?
BS: My dog. She doesn´t complain and never gets tired.
What is the worst thing about being an athlete?
BS: It is that a small injury can ruin the whole season and that a full year’s training is in vain.
BARBORA AT REST
What is your favourite music to chill to?
BS: It depends on the mood, but I like the rock and punk music the most.
Describe your perfect day without training.
BS: It would be a nice hiking trip with my family somewhere in Czech Republic.
What is your favourite stress reliever?
BS: Walks in the wood with my dog, or a punk concert with friends.
Where is your favourite place to relax?
BS: In the woods, next to my house.
What TV shows do you like to relax to?
BS: I like to watch Top Gear and Little Britain, because I love british humour.
BARBORA AT PLAY
When did your passion for football start?
BS: I love the fact with you can play anywhere in the world. We played as young kids next to garages.
Did you play football and, if so, to what standard?
BS: I have never played on what you would call a ‘proper‘ team.
Which footballer were/are you closest in style to?
BS: I can't tell. I don't have style. I just have the passion.
Which football team do you support?
BS: In Czech Republic it is a Slavia Prague. I went to high school next to their stadium. They are the team I’ve supported since childhood. In the rest of the world, I don’t support one club in particular, but I like the English teams and the Spanish teams.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
