Czechia in Focus: Olympics, Culture, and National Headlines
Image by: https://www.czechcenter.org/blog/2022/5/27/the-czech-flag-a-century-of-waving
From record-breaking Olympic participation to cultural milestones and shifting consumer trends, the Czech Republic is making headlines at home and abroad. As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Czech athletes, public figures and everyday citizens together highlight the events shaping Czechia today.
Opening Ceremonies:
The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo officially opened on Friday. The Olympic flame was lit simultaneously in two geographical locations for a historic first. In Milan, the fire was ignited by Italian skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, the honor went to Sofia Goggia. The Games were formally opened by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The Czech Republic is represented by a record 114 athletes, the largest team the Czechs have ever sent to the Winter Olympics. President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva attended the opening ceremony in Milan. The Games run until February 22, and feature nearly 3,000 athletes from more than 90 countries competing for a record 116 sets of medals.
Czech Olympic outfits:
The ceremonial outfits worn by Czech athletes during the opening ceremonies have drawn global praise. Fashion magazine Vanity Fair ranked designer Anežka Berecková’s collection among the five best, alongside those from Brazil, Mongolia, U.S. and Italy. USA Today described the Czech outfits as “the boldest of the Games,” while BBC called them among the most eye-catching. Inspired by the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Alpine Pro collection features sweaters and long scarves drawing on motifs by Czech graphic artist Vojtěch Preissig.
Sáblíková withdraws from 3000m race due to illness
Czech speed skater Martina Sáblíková could not compete in the 3000m at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday due to illness, the Czech Olympic Committee said. The three-time Olympic champion said she is struggling to breathe and has a fever, and was advised by doctors not to start. Calling it the toughest decision of her career, the 38-year-old apologized to fans in a social media post. Sáblíková, a seven-time Olympic medallist, is competing at her final Games and is still expected to take part in the 5000m next Thursday, as well as the 1500m later in the program.
Together, these developments highlight a nation balancing sporting achievement, cultural legacy, and social change. As the Winter Games continue and the year progresses, our Czech Republic remains firmly in the global spotlight–both on the podium and beyond.
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney, mediator, and Adjunct Professor of Law at South Texas College of Law. She also currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
#SharonSchweitzer, #AccesstoCulture, #InternationalCelebration, #AccesstoAsia, #GlobalEtiquette, #Cross-CulturalTrainer, #InterculturalCommunicatio, #InternationalCommunication, #Interculturalist, #Etiquette, #CultureExpert, #Speaker, #KeynoteSpeaker, #CulturalIntelligence, #Czechia, #CzechRepublic, #CzechCulture, #Olympics2026, #OlympicCommittee, #WinterOlympics, #WinterSports, #WinterFashion, #Milan, #Cortina, #Italy, #USA
