Man is alive not only by science but also by sports and entertainment. This philosophy is fulfilled at the Czech University of Life Sciences at least once a year. For over twenty years, every morning in the middle of May, the sports complex has been filled with academics and university employees, and ceremonial horns announce the beginning of the sports games—this year, with the date of May 16.
This social and sporting event has years of proven rules and standard disciplines, which have grown to include non-competitive hiking and cycling, so everyone will find something to do. But above all, the games are enjoying more and more interest, which makes their founder, Head of the Department of Physical Education, Dušan Vavrla, the most pleased. He welcomed the participants of this year's sports competition with the words: "I am glad that we are meeting here again in beautiful sunny weather and in such large numbers to spend a nice day at the 21st Sports Games. I consider this week of May, when events such as Rector's Day, Miss Agro, and today's CZU Staff Sports Games took place, to be a kind of gateway to the university summer," pointed out Dušan Vavrla and encouraged everyone to put aside all stress and worries, at least for this day, and spend it at ease, with sports and in the euphoria of shared experiences. "The atmosphere is great; we all stick together, and this is what the day should be like."
"I'm glad that we're here again after a year, and I'm glad to see that in such a large number. I look forward to some fierce fighting today in a friendly atmosphere. I urge everyone to be careful as the danger of injury lurks at every turn. Above all, I wish you a relaxing day, and I look forward to meeting you in the evening at the joint announcement of the winners," motivated all the participants of "Sportovky" Petr Sklenička, the rector of the university, who traditionally participates in pétanque competitions with his team and already has countless victories to his credit.
Even if the sports area had not been bathed in the sun that day, it would have been lit up by the performance that the children from the ČZU Poníček kindergarten prepared every time under the guidance of teacher Alena Vlková. This year, they danced to the hit of Helena Vondráčková and Jiří Korn, "Já půjdu tam a ty tam." After the episode from the series Baywatch performed by the CZU dance group and the student anthem performed by the CZU Chamber Choir, it was time for the main reason the games were held: the sports competition.
Traditionally, representatives of the faculties, the Rectorate, and this year, the CZU Forest Enterprise compete against each other in individual disciplines. From the sports disciplines, five-a-side football, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, swimming, and pétanque are represented here. In addition to competitive disciplines, there is something for those who like to enjoy movement in the fresh air just for fun: a hiking tour and a bicycle ride through the beautiful spring nature surrounding the CZU campus from all sides.
After last year's triumph, this year, the athletes of the Faculty of Engineering rejoiced again. They were delighted to defend their championship and thus to win the winners' cup again, which, according to Dušan Vavrla, is a relatively rare phenomenon. The Faculty of Economics and Management team was in second place, and the team of the Rectorate, which won the bronze position this year, was also beaming with satisfaction.
Glory to the winners, honor to the losers... However, as the chief organizer of the games, Dušan Vavrla likes to remind us on this occasion, "The sporting result is nice, but much more important is a positive atmosphere that accompanies the games." And that is why we are all already looking forward to the twenty-second year of the CZU Staff Sports Games.