29/01/2013
ROMAN KUMPOŠT: THE WORLD APPLAUDS LIBEREC AGAIN
28. 1. 2013 / Roman Kumpošt, FIS Board Member and President of JWSC Organizing Committee received congratulations from all sides. The team that he headed prepared a competition for 652 athletes from 36 countries, as it had set to do - not an ostentatious, but a perfectly organized event.
I think the championships worked out really well – not only the organization, technical and sport aspects of it, but also the weather was exceptionally favourable. On 10 January, was still raining and the temperatures remained above zero. At that time, we were considering alternative places for the championships. Despite all that, the frosty days that came afterwards helped us to prepare all sports venues according to the plan. We are convinced that the ski-jumping hill on Ještěd as well as the trails in Vesec were in an excellent condition throughout the championships.
In what way were the Liberec Championships different from others?
The International Ski Federation aims to improve the organization of junior championships to the level comparable with the top adult’s events, so that the young athletes can experience fully the atmosphere of a perfectly organized sporting event – as in World Cups or World Championships. I believe that in Liberec, we managed just that.
What kind of reactions did you get from the FIS officials, competitors and the sport team members?
The reactions were very positive, whether from the FIS officials, sport teams’ members, guests or journalists. Of course, there might have been some minor shortcomings, but despite that, the world was applauding Liberec – appreciating a quality organization, facilities, accommodation in one place, transport and services in general. Personally, I was most pleased about the international media’s response to the event. Skiing websites and the professional media took over our complete coverage of every competition.
After a series of World Cup competitions and the European Youth Winter Olympic Festival 2011 (EYOWF) Liberec confirmed again what an excellent host it is. What else is awaiting the venues on Ještěd and in Vesec?
FIS is interested in other competitions taking place here. In this respect, the support of the Liberec Region and the City of Liberec would again be of special importance. There is an interest on their side and the last week’s negotiations fill us with optimism.
Concerning the sport performances, what did you find most interesting at the Junior Championships 2013?
Every sport has its exceptional individuals, like for example Northug and Cologna, or Kowalczyk and Björgen. The championships in Liberec offered many such individuals too – the Nordic combined athlete Faisst, the ski-jumper Hvala, their colleagues in the junior women’s category Takanashi and Hendrickson and in U23 Ustiugov, and many others. If these big talents grow into senior top athletes and promote Nordic skiing with their performances, it will bring further development in this sport.