Otmar Malecek
Otmar Malecek *21.6.1967, +23.9.1998
Cycling was Otmar's favorite sport since 10 years of age. After short interest in orienteering he finally choosed cycling. Under the conduct of coaches Josef Wintr and Jan Krc juinor he learned secrets of racing tactics. Later in the training center coaches Jiri Kral and Josef Kratina senior took care of him. His first achievements were in 1983 in youth category, when he won road national championship title, took second place in time trial and three third places on track championship. Based on these achievements he was accepted to national training center. In 1984 Otmar gained 4th place at World junior championship in France in team pursuit. Also in 1985 it was 8th place in points race. Then he joined representation team of men.
At 1987 World championship in Vienna he experienced small sport tragedy, when he didn't qualify after whole year of hard training. Another shock came four days before departure to Olympic games. He received a letter about his replacement by another rider, so his olympic dream perished in one minute. However even after these dark days of his career he didn't surrender and later at 1989 World championship in France he finished 5th in team pursuit together with Soukup, Buchta and Baldrian.
After three years spent in Dukla Praha team he changed for Slusovice team, but health issues with his knee didn't allow full training and racing efforts. Still he was able to win national championship in madison with his teammate Buchta. It was in 1991. Unfortunately problems with the knee escalated and he had to put an end to his racing career. He became a coach in SKC Prostejov team. In 1996 some severe health issues occured. He fought for his life for near two years, but this time the fight was never to be won. Hi died of brain cancer on 23th of September 1998.