Hello Julo, it is my great pleasure to conduct this interview with you. We have known each other for a very long time, and I am very grateful to you for supporting numerous amazing sports events over the past 20 years, whether organized at governmental or non-governmental levels. It has always been a pleasure to collaborate with you. We all know you as a very reliable and competent partner in the field of digital technologies and also as a creator of beautiful graphic designs. However, this time we would like to get to know you from a more personal perspective, especially in connection with your activities in sports and promoting physical activities. For this reason, I would like to start our interview by looking behind the scenes of your sports performances, results, and goals.

1. What does sport mean in your life? What does sport represent for you?

Sport, for me, is primarily an irreplaceable source of daily movement, through which I balance the mental aspect of my work. However, I perceive it as entertainment, which has brought me pleasure, joy, relaxation, inspiration, and later also stress relief since childhood. It can be said that sport has also changed my view of the world. Another dimension of sport is its impact on personality. Looking back, I realize that sport has always shaped me mentally and personally. Victories, failures, humility, disappointment, recognition, challenges, patience, emotions... and much more, including sporting ideals, have been transferred from sport to everyday life, thereby influencing my overall personality.

2. From a broader perspective, what is your opinion on sport itself? Is there any connection between sport and digital technologies?

From my point of view, the connection between sport and digital technologies is very close, and it always has been. Sport is a phenomenon into which there has always been an effort to implement new things. And so it is with digital technologies. Although the extent to which technology should interfere with sport itself is always questionable, overall, I believe it pushes it forward, enhances it, brings attractiveness, thereby opening up completely new possibilities.

3. Could you tell us how you got involved in professional sports in your work? How did you enter the world of sports?

As I mentioned, sport has been a part of my life practically all my life. From a young age, I was involved in competitive table tennis and later in football, both as an active player and in club management. However, all of this was only at the regional level, and I came into direct contact with professional sports in my very first job after studies. Perhaps subconsciously, I was drawn to these spheres, and when I saw an advertisement seeking an information analyst for the National Sports Centre, I knew this was exactly for me... And it was 😊

4. Does sport still have an influence and impact on your work?

Certainly yes. As I have outlined several times, I practically live with sport constantly. However, in recent times (perhaps directly proportional to increasing age 😊), I increasingly realize the importance of physical activity - ergo movement is life. Feeling healthier, having more energy, being in mental and physical harmony, I perceive all of this as benefits derived from sport. Through this somewhat longer introduction, I finally come to answer your question: well, the impact of sport on my work is indeed significant. For my work, I need to constantly draw inspiration, ideas, and stimuli, and I have found that it is much easier when sport is part of my lifestyle.

5. How do you like the world of sports?

The world of sports has fascinated me since the moments when I can't even remember... 😊 Many of my initial memories are associated with watching the Olympics or other sports broadcasts, where I always found my role models and idols. I mentioned my childhood sports activities in the previous question, and they gradually transferred into adulthood - in active or passive form. My enthusiasm for sports is deeply rooted in me. In the course of my involvement in sports organizations, I have also met several great and interesting people, for which I am also very grateful to have known them. This also forms a part of my world of sports, which in some cases has a strong influence on my everyday professional, or personal life.

6. In your opinion, what is the role of inclusion through sport?

As I mentioned in one of the answers, sport is a phenomenon. It can bring people together across various areas, even where it is very difficult under other circumstances. Whether it is political, racial, gender, or even age or mental barriers. Especially in this period, support for inclusion is therefore extremely important, not only in sports.

7. Which sporting values ​​are close to you? How has sport influenced you the most?

Hmm, a challenging question, although it may not seem so at first glance 😊 There are indeed many values ​​that I have taken from sports and also embrace. I would say that it is a continuous process. However, I would mention those fundamental values ​​that have influenced me since childhood. Sport has taught me mainly respect for others, as well as for myself, humility, patience, and how to accept possible defeats or face new challenges.

8. If you had to name three values ​​that sport has taught you, what would they be? Why?

Respect, because without it, sportsmanship cannot exist. Discipline, because it is the foundation of progress and success in any field, including sports. And perseverance, because it is often the determining factor between giving up and achieving one's goals.

9. What has sport given you besides just playing sports?

Since I consider sport as a lifestyle, it is evident that it extends beyond the boundaries of physical activity alone. Thanks to sport, I have met many people in life (from early childhood to the present), many of whom have become good friends or acquaintances. In addition, sport gives me a different perspective on the world, precisely because of the values mentioned in the previous question. When I think about it, sport influences me quite significantly.

10. Have you participated, or are you planning to participate in any sports competitions? Do you have any specific sporting challenges?

Excellent question 😊 I have to laugh because you are the one who motivated me to try something again in a competitive manner. So the answer is yes, I am trying to prepare for running races, which I have been focusing on primarily in recent times. It is a real challenge for me because I run more for my own pleasure than for performance. But in everyone who has ever participated in sports, there is a bit of a competitive spirit, so thank you for inspiring me to take this step 😊

11. In conclusion of our interview, I would like to ask your opinion on the current sports program of the European Union. What else should the European Union do to encourage more young people to embrace sports as a lifestyle?

Well, that is not an easy question at all. There is probably no universal solution to encourage young people to engage in sports, but in my opinion, something different works for everyone. Therefore, it is all the more important to constantly introduce new modern projects and topics that can appeal to various groups of young people. Then there is a greater likelihood that some of them will be inspired to the extent that sport becomes their lifestyle with immense benefits.

12. Is there anything we have not asked you that you would like to share with us in this interview?

I am thinking about what to add at the end; perhaps just to say that I would like to thank you very much for allowing me to share my perspective on sports 😊