Interview with weightlifter Jiří Orság before the competition in Tokyo

HOW'S LIFE IN THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE? WHAT'S THE ATMOSPHERE LIKE, THE SERVICE, THE CONDITIONS, THE REGULATIONS, AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE NOW WORLD-FAMOUS CARDBOARD BEDS? DO YOU MEET THE OTHER ATHLETES?

Hi, the Olympic Village looks pretty much exactly the same as it always has, lots of tall apartment buildings decorated according to what country they live in, lots of people in Olympic collections everywhere, Olympic symbols on every corner, and a giant, two-story dining hall in the middle of it. But the difference at first glance is that people are more careful, everyone wears masks and there's disinfectant everywhere. It's a bit of a strange feeling, it's different. But everyone tries to take precautions, both because the Japanese are very strict and admonish any slightest violation and also because a positive covid test would mean losing the competition in many cases. Of course, we meet all the participants from home and from the rest of the village, but we rather just pass by each other. In the dining hall, each seat is separated by plastic partitions, so we really just eat and go again. I try to minimize any contact and follow everything we have, if I had tested positive for covid I would have blamed myself for not doing everything I could and lost the competition.

I think a lot has been written in the media on cardboard beds, but they really are made of cardboard and are both sturdy and comfortable. I don't think they'll last for years, but for gaming purposes, they'll definitely last those few weeks.

YOU'VE EXPERIENCED THE OLYMPICS IN LONDON AND RIO, HOW ARE THE ONES IN RIO SO FAR? WILL YOU MISS THE SPECTATORS OR HAVE YOU GOT USED TO IT FROM THE LAST COMPETITIONS? DO YOU HAVE A RITUAL TO PUSH YOURSELF TO PERFORM?

I only watch the games online, I can't do it any other way. It's a huge shame because that's one of the things that goes with games and it's sorely missed. I think I'll miss the audience a lot, I like it to be a bit alive in the stands and it'll be dead here. I'm more of a racing type and the crowd is one of the things that drives me to do better. However, I've just been counting on it for a long time and I'm mentally prepared for it. The conditions are the same for everyone and I will do everything I can to give the best performance. Ritual not so much, I usually go to bed after weigh-ins and try to switch my head off. I'll either just lie there or wear headphones. That's my calm before the storm.

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WHAT WAS THE PREPARATION? WE'VE SEEN IN THE VIDEOS THAT IT'S LIFTING YOU UP. WHEN'S THE LAST HARD WORKOUT BEFORE THE RACE? (109kg+ category starts on August 4)

This preparation has been very hard and challenging for me, but I think it has also been one of the best. In the training hall here we had one last heavy training, I even went up to 235kg in the pitching, which I don't usually do in training. The market has been worse in the long run, but we did everything we could to get some more lifting in here. Let me surprise you. Legs are and always have been my strong point. I wasn't more than the 320kg I was in training now, but it certainly wasn't the ceiling. I've been doing double sets with 305 pretty cool too. My last workout is tomorrow, which means Monday. That will be a very light workout though. Then I'll just rest until the competition.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING OVERALL AND HOW ARE YOU ACCLIMATING TO THE TIME SHIFT? ARE YOU BACK YET?

I think I'm adjusting to the shift pretty quickly. We always get into a local routine right after we arrive, we just go to sleep at night regardless of whether we arrive in the morning or afternoon. The first three days my sleep wasn't very good, I woke up a lot, but then one night I fell asleep and slept for almost 14 hours straight. Since then, I've been fine with my sleep. The worse part will probably be getting back to my original routine when I get home.

WHEN YOU HAVE TIME OFF, HOW DO YOU SPEND IT? CAN YOU LOOK AROUND, OR DO YOU HAVE TO STICK TO THE VILLAGE?

We spend the vast majority of our free time in our rooms, of course we have explored the village, but as a precaution we were advised to stay in our rooms rather than go amongst the people. We don't even get out of the village because of the precautions. As I said, I don't leave anything to chance. I'd blame myself. We pass the time by watching game streams, or playing on the PC or watching a TV show.

THANK YOU? GRATITUDE?

I'd like to thank everyone without whom I wouldn't be here. First of all, the OLYMP Sports Centre of the Ministry of Interior, without which the preparation at this level would be pure science fiction! Also to the city of Karolinka, which has supported me in my endeavors for many years now, and that means a lot to me, I appreciate it! Also to WORKOUT.EU and Rehasport, a big thank you for their support and for going out of their way to accommodate pretty much everything I can think of!

A big thank you also goes to the coaches who went through the whole qualification with us and it's a shame that I was the only one to pass the sieve, because there were more chances. Special thanks also go to Jirko Gasioro who also helped me prepare my form, which I hope to sell in the best possible way! And thanks also to my Kristínka, who is my biggest support in every situation and in moments when everything seems bad she always finds something to cheer me up. Thanks and greetings also to all those who are cheering me on and keeping their fingers crossed! When the spectators are not at the competition you will be my driving force too!