EYOF Stars #4 – Samuel Košťál

Less than 90 days to go until the start of the European Youth Olympic Festival. The athletes are now facing a demanding qualification process, some of them may already be preparing for the competitions in Banská Bystrica. One of them is Samuel Košt’ál, several times swimming champion of Slovakia.

It will be one of the highlights of his career so far for the Slovak representative, who will celebrate his sixteenth birthday on the 17th of June. “It is an honour for me to participate in this big event, which offers a comparison with European competitors. Participation also carries with certain responsibility, because I want to represent my country successfully at the EYOF. It is a challenge, but I will accept it and do my best to place as well as possible.”

Samuel has been successful in the pool and in long-distance swimming. From the Slovak championships he brought 3 Slovak championship titles and two bronze medals. In distance swimming he is especially proud of his victory in the 3 km race at the Slovak Men’s Championships.

For the swimmer, whose role model is swimming icon Michael Phelps, Olympic values and fair play are the cornerstones of the sport. “The idea of fair play is crucial and certainly should not be violated because no one wants a sport full of dishonest cheating, doping, unfairness and disrespect for opponents. Olympism forms an important part of the Olympic idea as sport brings people together.”

You will see Samuel in the swimming pool during the EYOF from the 24th to the 30th of June. As part of the Stars of EYOF campaign, we are introducing Slovak and international athletes one by one. Who will we introduce next time?

#EOYF Stars