Michal Martikan – 2011
Jozef Jakubco
Michal Martikan. He is considered by many the greatest C-1 slalom paddler alive. In 1996 he became the first athlete to win the Olympic Games Gold Medal for Slovakia after the country’s independence in 1993. In the following two Olympics he won the silver medal in the same C-1 event. He was awarded the silver medal after controversial verdict of referee in Athens 2004. However, he won gold after four years at 2008 Olympics and thus became the most successful paddler ever. He has also won the World Championship four times, in 1997, 2002, 2003, and 2007.
In 2011 he had the opportunity to win the World Championship title again. Moreover he could celebrate his triumph in front of the Slovak fans in Cunovo, near the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava. In case of winning gold medal he could secure his place in Summer Olympic Games in London 2012 as well, but he unexpectedly lost!
Even the best lose. No happiness or sadness by Michal Martikan, but certainly a big disappointment. Whatever the result at the end, Martikan knows that he can always find the comfort on the love of his wife and daughters.
