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The 32nd Olympic Games, which had been set for Tokyo this July and August, have been put back by at least a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. What does the world’s biggest sporting postponement to date mean for the Czech Republic’s athletes? And how hard has it hit the Czech Olympic Committee’s budget? I discussed those questions and more with COC president Jiří Kejval.

A government prohibition on events in the Czech Republic attended by 100 or more people is naturally having a major impact on sports in the country. The organisers of the two biggest sports leagues, in football and ice hockey, are taking a different approach to the measure introduced to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The Czech Republic’s footballers have greatly boosted their chances of reaching Euro 2020 after beating England 2:1 in Prague. Friday night’s game was a genuine fairy tale for Zdeněk Ondrášek, who at the age of 30 scored on his debut to claim victory. For his part, England’s Harry Maguire described the strike as a sucker punch, admitting his side hadn’t deserved to take an early lead.

The Czech Republic’s top tennis players are set for action at the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year. The country’s best hope for success appears to be Karolína Plíšková, who is seeded third in the women’s draw at Flushing Meadows.

In Sports News this week: Siniaková knocked out of French Open; Vít Přindiš takes gold at European Canoe Slalom Championships; Mladá Boleslav secure a spot in the Europa League preliminary round; and Sparta Prague gets a new coach.

Czechs return emptyhanded from hockey worlds after loss to Russia in bronze game; Slavia celebrate soccer title with home victory over Sparta; and Czech women advance at French Open but Kvitová forced to pull out.

Slavia Prague are crowned champions for 19th time with one round to go – coach Trpišovský says he’s relieved to have got over line; Plzeň boss Vrba says charges had successful season despite coming second; Czechs power on with fifth win in six games at hockey worlds; and Plíšková climbs to second in world with Rome triumph.

Czechs off to positive start at ice hockey worlds with wins over Sweden and Norway – next up are the Russians; and Slavia Prague overcome Viktoria Plzeň to close in on Czech football title.

Slavia draw first game in final phase of football league as Plzeň cut gap ahead of head-to-head; Dazza wins Prague Marathon in second fastest time while Salpeter sets women’s record; Muchová on the up after Prague Open final; and tennis coach Pavel Korda dies.

In Sports News this week: Petra Kvitová wins WTA title in Stuttgart; Czech international football player Josef Šural dies in traffic accident; Czech football league’s regular season wraps up; Třinec clinches Czech ice hockey Extraliga.