Global Competitors and Fans Unite in Prague: Final Touches Underway at the O2 Arena!
“The World Figure Skating Championships in Prague showcases the robust synergy between sport and tourism. Such a significant event attracts thousands of international visitors to Czechia, boosts interest in accommodations—and their prices—and reaches hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. The winning combination of top-notch sports, an appealing urban landscape, and quality infrastructure makes Czechia an ideal venue for international events and travel. Additionally, many visitors extend their stay to explore other regions, nature, or spas, helping to distribute tourism across Czechia. We believe this championship will provide not just an exhilarating sporting experience but also inspire attendees to discover more places,” states František Reismüller, Director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism.
As competitors and fans settle in and begin to appreciate the beauty of the metropolis, the O2 Arena and O2 Universe are making final adjustments and tests to ensure everything runs smoothly starting Tuesday.
“We are fine-tuning the final details to achieve visual perfection. The entire Monday is dedicated to setup rehearsals and check-ins,” explains production director Josef Ženíšek, adding: “Today, we also did some skating during the day to enhance the ice quality. By Monday evening, the final structure will be ready.”
Journalists visited both venues in the morning, accompanied by Czech representative Georgii Reshtenko, who earned a bronze medal at the European Championships in Sheffield this January.
“I’m thrilled; it’s beautiful,” said the Czech athlete in response. He has had ample preparation time since January, as he did not participate in the Olympic Games in Milan in February.
“I would say everything has gone well; we’ve put in a lot of hard work with the coaches ahead of this championship. Of course, the preparation was intense, and it was a bit nerve-wracking knowing the championship is at home, but overall, I would rate it positively,” added the student of former Czech national team player Michal Březina and world-renowned coach Rafael Arutyunyan, where he trains in Irvine, USA. “I hope to deliver two clean performances; that would mean a lot to me,” he concluded.
For the latest updates, visit the official website www.prague2026.cz or check out the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 social media links, including Facebook.
Photo: Jaroslav Svoboda/ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026
