Polished shine of sport

The International Festival of Sport Films Sportfilm has been held in the North Bohemian city of Liberec for the twenty-sixth time and it is still looking for interesting and unconventional themes.

This time, as part of the accompanying programme, it presents a representative selection of coins and medals dedicated to outstanding Czech sportspeople. The exhibition also includes photographs of these personalities during their visit to the Czech Mint's headquarters in Jablonec nad Nisou.

"A unique exhibit is a new glass trophy, the Ray of Courage and Hope of Věra Čáslavská, designed by designer Maxim Velčovský," said Renata Balašová, the festival director. It is a nearly ten-kilogram massive stone made of cut optical glass, which symbolizes the life of Věra Čáslavská. The character of this legendary gymnast was not broken by the pressure and oppression of the former communist regime, but was shaped like a diamond into beauty, purity and strength. Inside the trophy, which is the work of the Lasvit glass company, is a unique coin with the likeness of Věra Čáslavská, which was created for this purpose at the Czech Mint.