Petr Koukal is the best male shuttler of the Czech Republic. We spoke to the 26-year old from Brno about the surprising nomination to be the Czech flag bearer at the Olympic Games and about his preparations for London.

BADMINTON EUROPE: Petr, first of all congratulation for the NOC nomination of being the flag bearer for your country. What does it mean to you?

Petr Koukal: It is a huge honor for me - of course. And great reward after all those hard moments in the last two years.

BADMINTON EUROPE: Who were the other candidates?

Koukal: It was not really voting of anything like that. Medias were talking a lot about these athletes... Petra Kvitova, a Wimbledon champion in tennis, Roman Sebrle, the Olympic and World champion in decathlon and
Barbora Spotakova, the Olympic and World champion in javelin. It is hard to believe that they have chosen me at the end.

BADMINTON EUROPE: How is your preparation for London going? Can you give us a little inside in your training program …

Koukal: It is great. It was a very hard season for me, traveling a lot and still being tired after my illness. Now I am enjoying this period without tournaments and I am focusing 100% for training. Dicky Palyama from the Netherlands has been helping me for last four weeks and he will be back to Czech Republic for last 10 days before the Olympic Games start.

BADMINTON EUROPE: What are your goals in London?

Koukal: Getting out of the group and fight like hell for the quarterfinal!

BADMINTON EUROPE: What is the difference between taking part in Beijing and now in London?

Koukal: Of course it is very different. After I got cancer, I realized that life is also about other things than badminton. It was a very difficult time and at one point I was really worried and scared if I can make it. Not back to the top level but just back to normal life.

And now, I am going to the Olympics, holding the Czech flag at the opening ceremony. It is like the best dream ever coming true. Here I would like to say big thanks to everybody from the badminton world who supported me all the way. I received many emails from many players and it was a huge boost for me when I was down. Thanks again guys!

Thanks for the interview!

Photo by BadmintonPhoto