It is with great sadness that we learned today that Zdeněk Pecka has died

Zdeněk Pecka was born on 6 February 1954. His childhood was affected by an accident and lengthy treatment. Having seen the film Duel of the Titans in 1967 and watched the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, he fell for sports and started rowing. Thanks to his persistence, he made his way among the top rowers in the country. His effort won him and his colleagues five World Championships medals (three for a quadruple scull and two for a double skiff), and two bronze medals from the Olympics, Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980. He was not allowed to take part in his third Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984 due to a boycott of the games on the part of most Soviet bloc countries. In response, he quit his rowing career.

He married Květa Jeriová, Olympic medalist in cross-country skiing.

He worked as a coach, coaching Václav Chalupa, olympic silver medalist,  among others. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame of the Union of Professional Coaches of the Czech Olympic Committee in 2013. 
We feel deep sorrow and on the behalf of the EFPM we express our condolence to our friend, Kveta  and her family.

30.01.2024