World City Guide

Sport

The Czechs’ greatest sporting success has come from tennis, with Ivan Lendl, Martina Navrátilová and Jana Novotná being regarded as national sporting heroes. Success was also enjoyed in 1998, when the Czech ice hockey team were the Olympic champions. The Czech national football team has largely flattered to deceive in recent years after making the final of the European Championships in 1996, with strong qualifying performances not matched when it comes to big events. In the domestic league, the First Division rivalry between Sparta Praha (website: www.sparta.cz) and Slávia Praha (website: www.slavia.cz) is very strong. Prague’s other First Division team, FK Victoria }i~kov (website: www.fkviktoriazizkov.cz), is based at the Viktoria }i~kov Stadium, Seifertova třída, Prague 3 (tel: 22272 2045). Sparta Praha play at their own Letna Stadium, Milady Horákové 98, Prague 7 (tel: 22057 0323), while Slávia Praha play at the Eden Stadium, Vladivostocká 1460/2, Prague 10 (tel: 26731 1102). Despite the fact that many of the best Czech players move overseas, Sparta Prague have managed to make some inroads in the Champions League in recent seasons. In the 2003/2004 season, Sparta, though, suffered the ignominy of coming second in the league behind Banik Ostrava while Slavia were fourth.

Ticketpro, Rytířská 31, Prague 1 (tel: 29632 9999 ; e-mail: etix@ticketpro.cz; website: www.ticketpro.cz), and other locations around the city, is the best source for tickets to sporting events.

Prague has not yet developed a comprehensive network of sports facilities that cater for visitors and facilities for foreign sports fans are limited.

Fitness Centres: As is the case throughout Eastern Europe, fitness centres are appearing everywhere – most are members only and many have questionable levels of supervision. Luxury hotels catering for the business community often are the best option for visitors. Fitness Club Intercontinental, Námìstí Curieových 43/5 (tel: 22488 1525; website: www.ichotelsgroup.com), and Fitness Centre Hilton, Pobře~ní 1, Prague 8 (tel: 22484 2375; website: www.hilton.com), both offer a good range of workout machines and are open to non-residents. Rates generally start at around Kč70 per day.

Golf: The Czech Republic is poorly lacking in golf courses and Prague’s only 18-hole course is members only, although top hotels may be able to arrange access, if given enough advance warning. Golf Club Prague, Plzeòská, Prague 5 (tel: 25721 5185), is a nine-hole course and driving range, with green fees of approximately Kč230 per round.

Ice Skating: Skating is an extremely popular sport, however, rinks are only open for one or two-hour periods, usually at weekends. Good rinks include Sportovní hala (HC Sparta), Za elektrárnou 419, Prague 7 (tel: (2) 7292 8273), and Vokovice, Za lány 1, Prague 6 (tel: 23535 2759). From December, outdoor skating is popular at the reservoirs at Divoká `árka and Hostivař. The picturesque scenery and the many grog sellers make this an attractive activity, although hire of skates is problematic.

Squash: As this sport is growing in popularity, new squash courts appear regularly in Prague, however, demand still outstrips supply and courts are often booked months in advance. Squashové centrum, 15 Václavské námìstí (tel: 22400 9232), offers an unbeatable central location. The three courts are open daily until 2300 and equipment is available for hire.

Swimming: With crowds of children and high chlorine levels at the municipal pools, the smaller pools in luxury hotels are often a better option. The indoor pool at Aréal, Strahov Stadion, Olympijská, Prague 6 (tel: 23301 4113), is used by competitive swimmers and also offers sauna facilities. The pool is closed during July and August. The YMCA, Na Pořící 12 (tel: 22487 1111), also caters for serious swimmers and is open until 2200. The fee is Kč1.10 per minute. Swimming in the reservoirs outside Prague is extremely popular, although sites can be dirty and crowded.

Tennis: Outdoor courts, generally clay, cost about Kč120-200 per hour, while indoor courts can run to Kč250–550. Most courts are floodlit and open in the evening, some until 2300. Advance booking is essential. Tenisový klub Slávia Prague, Letná Park, Prague 7 (tel: (2) 3338 4033), has eight excellent floodlit clay courts, as well as fast-surface indoor courts. Booking is usually essential at the Ceský Lawn Tennis Klub, Ostrov `tranice 38, Holoaovice, Prague 7 (tel: 22232 4601; website: www.cltk.cz), with six floodlit courts. Tenis Club, Strìlecký Island (ostrov), also hires courts to the public.