Neumannova is the best Czech sport person

Katerina Neumannova, a cross-country skier, is the best sportperson of the year 2006. That is the opinion of Czech journalists who chose her in the annual poll Sportovec roku. Neumannova was given a golden crown at a special award ceremony in Prague last night.

Neumannova won an Olympic gold medal in the 30-kilometer cross country race in Turin. She announced that this is her last season as a professional skier.

Second position belongs to ice-hockey player Jaromir Jagr, who won this poll last year. Third position belongs to Lukas Bauer, a cross-country skier and an Olympic silver medallist. Among the first ten people were also Tomas Sebrle (athletics), Jakub Janda (ski jumping), Petr Cech (football), Barbora Spotakova (athletics), Martina Sablikova (speed skating), Tomas Rosicky (football) and Tomas Janku (athletics).

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was given Emil Zatopek Award for Sport Legend. Czech ice-hockey team was awarded the best sport team.