When in 1988 American Calvin Smith ran hundred meters on Pasienky in 10.07, Ján Volko was not born yet. He was not even in 1995, when the former world record holder, Olympic champion and 100m world champion, still completely unknown at the time Maurice Greene visited Bratislava.
Recently fastest Slovak Ján Volko was born only in November 1996. In times, when legendary P-T-S meeting, now called Slovnaft – experienced perhaps the biggest boom.
„P-T-S? I first heard about it only this year. I had no idea what it meant until someone explained to me that it was a top athletics meeting in Bratislava,” the Slovak recorder holder at 200m (20.69) and indoors at 60m (6.58) as well as 200m (21.11) admitted frankly.
And what did he learn about “P-T-S” last year before the re-born renowned 51st meeting?
“It is said that its quality exceeded Ostrava Golden Spike meeting and the absolute world elite had been coming to Bratislava. I did not see any record of the glorious times, until recently at the Athletic federation´s website. I watched a video where the dean of the sports faculty of UK Marián Vanderka, my predecessor in the post of Slovak record holder, remembers this event and his experiences were illustrated by the footage of the race,” said the talented sprinter.
On 4 June 2016, Ján Volko booked his premiere start at the P – T – S. In the main A-race at 100m he finished fifth in 10.39 and he also defeated American Delaney and Smellie of Canada.
This year, he will get back to the blocks in Šamorín on 17 June again. However, he will come back to the 52nd P – T – S as a new European vice-champion at 60m from Belgrade. Great reputation!
GABRIEL BOGDÁNYI, ŠPORT
Best 100m in Slovakia
9.90 w RODGERS (USA) DUBNICA 2013
9.98 w CARTER (Jam.) DUBNICA 2013
10.01 CARTER (Jam.) DUBNICA 2012
10.01 OGUNODE (QAT) ŠAMORÍN 2016
10.05 THOMPSON (Trinidad and Tobago) DUBNICA 2011
10.07 C. SMITH (USA) BRATISLAVA 1988
10.07 K. COLLINS (SKN) DUBNICA 2011