Josef Dostál, a student at the Faculty of Economics and Management at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, was among the 48 individuals honored by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, on the Day of the Establishment of an Independent Czechoslovakia on October 28, 2025, in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. The sporting triumphs of the speed canoeist, who became a multiple world champion in kayaking, and an Olympic champion, and holds four other Olympic titles, are now crowned by a high state award, the Presidential Medal for Merit to the State in Sports.
Pepa Dostál's life motto, “You must not only live, you must also sail", may be behind a long series of his sporting successes. Last year was a dream year for him, when he won gold in the 1000-meter race at the Summer Olympics in Paris. It was his third Olympic medal, the first in the most precious metal. He multiplied his Olympic triumph in Samarkand by winning the world champion title. At the end of the year, he dominated the prestigious poll for the best athlete in the Czech Republic. And he also triumphed at his alma mater, becoming the 2024 CZU Sportsman of the Year in Prague. This year, his series of victories continued in Milan, where he won his seventh gold medal at the World Championships on the 500-meter track.
Josef Dostál's absolute triumph is his most recent medal, For Merit to the State in Sports, from October 28, 2025. Congratulations!