Vojmír Srdečný and the Kladruby Games - the beginning of sport for people with physical disability in Czechoslovakia
Abstract
Background and objectives: Vojmír Srdečný is a unique personality in the field of Czech rehabilitation, adapted physical activity and health related physical education. This article will offer an overview of his life and activities and one of the important milestones in the development of sports for people with physical disabilities: the foundation and development of the Kladruby Games.
Methods: The study is based on literature and interviews - monographs, articles and primary documents; and personal consultations with Dr. Srdečný and contemporary Games organizers.
Results: Vojmír Srdečný was born in Albrechtice nad Orlicí (in the district Rychnov nad Kněžnou) in a family with a background in movement activities (his father founded a Sokol unit there). His teacher František Škvára stimulated his relationship with physical education and Srdečný decided to become a PE teacher.
His studies, however, were interrupted by the Second World War, when he was first in a concentration camp and then underwent directed work. After the war, he completed his studies and joined the Rehabilitation Institute of Kladruby, where he sought to integrate sport into the regime of institutional treatment.
These efforts culminated in the organization of the Kladruby Games. The first Games lasted for 10 days, April 15-24, 1948, and were attended by 82 competitors.
Competitions were held in sports, cultural activities and constitutional disciplines. After two years, the games were stopped by the communist authorities and only restored after 10 years.
Between 1960 and 2002, Games took place twice a year, and are still held today, having recently celebrated their 100th edition. Other games were held in Czechoslovakia in rehabilitation centres for adults: North Moravian Games and Hrabyně Games.
Since 1959, the National Games for Youth with Disability have been organized, and since 1973, three other games for young people have been held: Košumberk Games, Lipnice Games and Jinolice Games. Besides a number of other activities, Srdečný also supported the participation of Czech athletes in foreign competitions, worked at universities and published hundreds of expert texts.
He was many times awarded for his work. Conclusions: Vojmír Srdečný has significantly promoted the beginnings of sport for people with physical disabilities in Czechoslovakia.
The Kladruby Games constitute a significant trace in Paralympic history, having taken place three months earlier than similar games in Stoke Mandeville in the UK.