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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 was Olympic champions. The Czech national football team can be something of a dark horse, reaching the finals of Euro 96. 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 Zizkov (website: www.fkviktoriazizkov.cz), is based at the Viktoria Zizkov Stadium, Seifertova Trída, Prague 3 (tel: (02) 2272 2045). Sparta Praha play at their own Letna Stadium, Milady Horákové 98, Prague 7 (tel: (02) 2057 0323), while Slávia Praha play at the new Eden Stadium, Vladivostocká 1460/2, Prague 10 (tel: (02) 6731 1102). In the 2002/2003 season, Sparta Praha were second in the league and Victoria Zizkov were third. Although Slavia Praha finished outisde the top three, it managed to defeat Sparta Praha in the final of the Czech cup. Ticketpro, Rytírská 31 (tel: (02) 2481 8080; e-mail: etix@ticketpro.cz; website: www.ticketpro.cz) is the best source for tickets to sports events. The ticket office is open from Monday to Sunday 0830-2030. 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, Curieovych námestí 43/5 (tel: (02) 2488 1525; website: http://prague.czech-republic.intercontinental.com) and Fitness Centre Hilton, Pobrezni 1, Prague 8 (tel: (02) 2484 2913; website: www.hilton.com) both offer a good range of workout machines and are open to non-residents. Other clubs include Body and Fitness Club, Bolzanova 7, Prague 1 (tel: (02) 2422 7396), Fit Club Classic, Vladivostocka 1460/2, Prague 10 (tel: (02) 6731 0484), where reservations for aerobics need to be made a day in advance, and Sport Centrum, YMCA, Na Porící 12 (tel: (02) 2487 5811). Rates generally start at around Kc60 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, Plzeňská, Prague 5, is a nine-hole course and driving range, with green fees of approximately Kc1000 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 elektrármou 419, Prague 7 (tel: (02) 372 204), and Vokovice, Za lány 1, Prague 6 (tel: (02) 362 759). From December, outdoor skating is popular at the reservoirs at Divoká Sárka and Hostivar. The picturesque scenery and the many grog sellers make this an attractive activity, although hire of skates is problematic. Riding: TJ Zizkov Prague, Císarský ostrov 76, Prague 6 (tel: (02) 878 476), offers accompanied riding at Kc300 per hour – an additional Kc200 allows use of the attractive trails in Stromovka Park. Advanced booking is advisable. Shooting: With the high standard of Czech firearms, there are a number of indoor and outdoor shooting ranges in Prague. Better than its name may suggest, the Rambo Shooting Range, Za porícskou branou 7, Prague 8 (tel: (02) 231 3712), which might provide an amusing interlude to a holiday in Prague. 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 Wenceslas Square (tel: (02) 2400 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: (02) 355 226), is used by competitive swimmers and also offers sauna facilities. The pool is closed during July and August. The YMCA, Na Porící 12 (tel: (02) 2487 1111), also caters for serious swimmers and is open until 2200. The fee is Kc1 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 Kc120-200 per hour, while indoor courts can run to Kc350-500. 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: (02) 3338 4033), has eight excellent floodlit clay courts, as well as fast-surface indoor courts. Tenis Club, Strelecký Island (ostrov), also hires courts to the public. |
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