First home medalist: This is only the beginning, my goal is the Olympic games

Swimmer Samuel Košťál said to himself he will not leave without a medal

“It is bronze, we have got it,” said Samuel Košťál who won the first medal for his home country Slovakia at the European youth Olympic festival 2022. He finished third in 200 meters butterfly. With a medal hanging on his neck, he described his feelings: “It is pretty heavy, I have got to say. It is an amazing feeling to stand on the podium. When I finished the race, I just looked at the scoresheet and I saw I am the third, I was really happy. I can say that is how I imagined it. I had prepared tactics in my head and everything went according to the plan, so I am satisfied.”
Košťál finished the race in 2:02,84. He entered the final with the third best time from the semifinals.

His goal before the race was clear. “When I reached the final, I said to myself that I will not leave without a medal. I wanted to fight for gold, but it was not enough. It is bronze, which is also pleasing, and I am joyful. It is the first precious medal for me from this kind of race. I devote the medal to all of Slovakia. Huge thanks go to coaches,
everybody around, and parents, who have supported me,” said a Slovakian who tied the medal balance for Slovakia from the last EYOF in 2019 in Baku. Cyclist Martin Svrček won bronze there.

Winning a medal in butterfly was a clear goal for Košťál. He would like to imitate his success during the medley race for 400 meters on Friday. Those two are his main disciplines. The fans in Banská Bystrica create an amazing atmosphere for Slovak sportsmen. The young swimmer felt it: “The atmosphere was great, I am at home here, so I felt the encouragement and I must thank everybody, who was cheering for me,” said a happy Slovakian. “I felt it during the swim, before, after, in the call room, you can feel it anywhere.”

He sees the European Youth Olympic festival as a gateway to a big sports career. “My goal is surely Olympic games, not only to get there but to medal there. I think EYOF can help me, but this is only the beginning and a huge motivation for future results.”

Sixteen-year-old swimmer looks up to successful swimmers. His role models are Slovakian Richard Nagy and famous American Michael Phelps. “He also used to swim butterfly and medleys, he is a legend and a huge idol for me,” Slovakian said about the 23-time Olympic winner.

Košťál´s medal is the first swimming medal at the EYOF since 2007 for Slovakia. Katarína Listopadová then won silver in 200 meters medley race. This is the fifth swimming medal at the EYOF for Slovakia. Samuel Košťál now plans to have a rest day. Fans can spot him in action in Štiavničky again on Friday. After morning heats, he will hope for another final appearance.