Jakub Dudycha

About this summer season:

This will be my third 800m race this year. I managed to improve, the new Czech record is proof of that, so I'm really looking forward to the event in Ostrava. If I can, I'd like to better the Czech record again. It means not messing up anything tactically, not running too much in the second lane, avoiding collisions and of course choosing the right pace. If all of that comes together, it can be successful.

About the preparation:

I hope it went well. Everything went according to plan, we'll see what happens towards the peak of the season, which is the World Championships in Tokyo. For example, I have the European Team Championships in Madrid and U23 European Championships in Bergen. There won't be many events where I can think primarily about time, so I would like to use the Golden Spike to improve my maximum. Then it will be about fighting for medals and points in the world rankings.

About the improvement of the Europeans on middle distances:

It's really interesting. Two years ago, people ran under 1:43 once or twice a season, a year later it was 1:41, and that's still going on today. We expected it, it was just a matter of time before the Europeans improve like that. I improved as well, but so far it's nowhere to be seen on the rankings, because the competition is huge. We simply have to keep working on ourselves. We look at the competition, we look for new ways, but sometimes I don't even understand what's going on. It's challenging.

About the plans for the 1500 meters:

I'm glad I tried it  this year, because last year it wasn't possible because of the Olympics. But on the other hand, I won't include it regularly. Once a year, that'll be nice.

Jan Štefela

About the performance in Košice:

I managed to hit the right takeoff and technique. That was the biggest problem in the first events this year. I probably completed the first preparation, when I was completely healthy, I got stronger and also faster. So, when I stepped into it, there were problems with the technique. In Košice, it was finally successful.

About the height of 230 centimeters:

If I knew how to do it, I would jump it regularly at every event. But it's really complicated. You feel great in the sector, you have a good feeling, but suddenly it drops to 215.

About the new surface at the stadium:

I'm curious what the organizers have prepared for us. I haven't been very successful here in the past, but there were guys who jumped well over 230. Hopefully the retoping will be successful and people will jump high. And I'm also grateful that they moved the sector a little closer to the javelin. There won't be any big stars in the event, I like it. Almost anyone can win, I hope it will be me. I like the trophy, it would come in handy.