After years on the top stage, including fulfilling his Olympic dream, a new chapter of life is beginning. In the interview, successful curler Radek Boháč speaks openly about his beginnings in curling, what kept him in the sport for so many years, and why he now wants to “give borrowed time back to his family.”
How did you start with curling? At what age, why, and where?
I actually started as a return to sport after ending my football career. During my university studies, I tried a lot of different sports, and I still do some of them to this day. But curling captivated me with its versatility, uniqueness, and above all the incredibly interesting people it brings together.
I started relatively late, after the age of twenty. That had its disadvantages, because I didn’t have a childhood foundation, but also advantages – experience and versatility from other sports. And it turned out that if you have energy, joy, motivation, and commitment, you can achieve quite a lot.
What kept you in curling all those years?
Definitely the great group of people and my inner motivation to reach the Olympic Games. Once I started travelling to international tournaments, I made many new friends all over the world.
What I love about curling is its spirit. With only a few exceptions across nations, it’s a sport built on respect. On the ice you want to win and give it your absolute best, but at the same time you can appreciate the skill and difficulty of your opponent’s shots. And after the game, you sit down together for a traditional non-alcoholic drink, where the winners treat the losers.
Curlers know how to communicate with each other. It’s a gentleman’s sport—highly competitive, physically and mentally demanding, yet rooted in respect and a shared love for the game.
Did you fulfill all your dreams and expectations in curling?
I’ve always had dreams, I still do, and I always will. But yes, I’ve achieved an incredible amount.
I had an amazing sporting career with people I consider my extended family. Some of them I would even say are like additional members of my family. And of course, the Olympics—that was a childhood dream. The fact that it came true is something unbelievable.
The only thing missing for me now would be to play a nice tournament with my wife and children. Maybe someday that will happen. For now, I mainly want to support my wife and our young athletes.
What comes next? Will you still play occasionally, or are you drawing a clear line?
After ending my elite curling career, I mainly need to give my family back the time I borrowed. At the same time, my wife and I are taking on another big challenge—professional. We’re working on streamlining business processes, automating things, and expanding our portfolio. It’s essentially another dream and another form of motivation, very similar to elite sport.
There’s a great atmosphere at home now, and I’m glad it’s a project for the whole family. It gives me the opportunity to be at home much more.
As for sport, I’m not stopping physical activity altogether. I’m continuing daily training, but now it’s more focused on conditioning and compensation. I’m even setting up a gym in my office and gradually expanding it.
How do you plan to spend your free time?
Honestly—there isn’t much free time right now. My watch tells me I usually sleep three to five hours a day, sometimes a bit more on weekends, so boredom isn’t really a risk.
For now, it’s mainly family, work, and a bit of sport. When I eventually have more time, I’d like to learn the technique of a new sport. And I’d also like to finally finish Baldur’s Gate 3, which I’ve been playing on and off for over two years.
Will you miss anything about curling?
I want to stay in touch with the guys, and I believe we will. I’ll keep going to watch curling, and I’m still in contact with people from the sport. We’re even already discussing whether and how I might help in the future in a role off the ice.
So I wouldn’t say I’m drawing a clear line. It’s more that my role is changing.
