The 74th Alfred Nikodem Memorial, 2020 – First Prague Cold-Water Swimming Club

In all our memories, 2020 will forever be associated with a previously unfamiliar word: “coronavirus”.
At the end of every year, I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha organises the traditional Christmas cold-water swimming event in the Vltava beside the National Theatre — the Alfred Nikodem Memorial.

The first public Christmas swimming demonstration in the Vltava took place in 1923, led by Alfred Nikodem himself. During the war, swimming in the river was strictly forbidden on pain of death. Nevertheless, veteran winter swimmer Oldřich Liška is known to have swum across it illegally.

Since 1947, under the name Alfred Nikodem Memorial, the December swimming tradition has never been interrupted. If even the Nazis could not prevent cold-water swimming demonstrations, the current organisers were determined that coronavirus should not stop this year’s 74th edition either.

Well in advance, I. PKO Praha began difficult negotiations with the authorities, supported by the Czech Swimming Federation and the National Sports Agency. These resulted in an exemption from the Czech Ministry of Health allowing the event to proceed. We had to meet strict conditions, the most demanding being a carefully planned system for testing every participant for COVID-19. Even routine arrangements became more complicated. For the first time, for example, large changing tents had to be erected on Slovanský Island. Every additional requirement meant discussions, permissions and official stamps. Thanks to the event’s long tradition and our good relationships as organisers, however, doors were open and everyone involved was helpful. With the willing work of many dedicated I. PKO members, we made it happen. Our sincere thanks to every colleague!

And now to the 74th Memorial itself. Slovanský Island greeted us with a sunlit National Theatre and Vltava water at 5.8°C. After the Christmas thaw, the air had cooled to a wintry 1.8°C. All swimmers had received detailed instructions beforehand, so the pleasure of meeting again and our long-standing friendships helped us through the unusual entry procedure.

The circumstances meant changing the order of the distances. The traditional recreational swims came first: the 300-metre Oldřich Liška Memorial and the 100-metre Štěpán Polák Memorial. Altogether, 208 swimmers completed these courses, starting gradually as they came through testing, while observing the necessary safety and hygiene measures.

In the presence of Prague 1 Deputy Mayor Petr Burgr and Czech Swimming Federation president Petr Ryška, the host club continued its tradition of honouring swimmers who had crossed the English Channel during the past season. This year they were Jana Procházková (Sokol Hradec Králové), Jakub Valníček and Chun Kong Mak, the latter two from I. PKO.

Only afterwards did 53 leading Czech Winter Swimming Cup athletes take on the longest course, the 750-metre František Venclovský Memorial, in three heats. Lenka Štěrbová of I. PKO Praha won outright for the seventh time, in 9 minutes 56 seconds. One minute ten seconds later, the first man, Petr Šlajs (I. PKO Praha), reached the finishing straight, followed roughly half a minute later by Michal Slanina (Fides Brno). Radek Táborský (I. PKO Praha) was the third-fastest man. Renata Nováková (SCPAP) was the second woman home, followed by Václava Benešová (Fides Brno).

After ninety-year-old Božena Černá withdrew, the oldest participant was Lubomír Valenta, born in 1941. The youngest was nine-year-old Jakub Špaček; both represented the host club. Every swimmer emerging from the water at Slovanský Island’s northern tip showed joy and unmistakable happiness, regardless of age, distance or club. May that feeling stay with us through ordinary days too.

The awards ceremony took place in the Small Hall of Žofín Palace, this time without an audience because of coronavirus measures. I. PKO Praha chair Tomáš Prokop and Prague 1 Deputy Mayor Petr Burgr presented the prizes. The Prague 1 Cup for the fastest trio in the main 750-metre race went to I. PKO’s Lenka Štěrbová, Petr Šlajs and Radek Táborský. All medallists over 750 metres were announced, with congratulations and prizes presented by federation president Petr Ryška and Fiskars director and managing executive Tomáš Duda. As usual, Michal Štěrba did an excellent job commentating throughout the day, from the pontoon to the Žofín ceremony. He chairs the Czech Swimming Federation’s Open Water and Winter Swimming Committee and is also the winner’s father.

Our long-standing partners deserve special thanks for continuing to support us during this uncertain season: SUPTel, Etewa, Bytostav, Born To Swim, Fiskars, Prague City Hall and the Prague 1 district, whose mayor also granted personal patronage. Partners contributed financially or supplied valuable prizes, including swimming equipment and household and garden tools.

On behalf of the organising club, thank you to everyone who took part in or supported the 74th Alfred Nikodem Memorial. We wish you the best of health and look forward to meeting again in 2021 — hopefully a largely COVID-free year.

Alfred Nikodem Memorial 2020 results (in Czech)

Media coverage