Czech Athlete of the Year awards to move to Karlovy Vary

The Czech Athlete of the Year awards, the nation's oldest sports poll established in 1959, will be held in Karlovy Vary for the first time on December 19. Organized by the Club of Sports Journalists (KSN), the ceremony will take place at the Imperial Spa and will be broadcast live on ČT1.

This year marks a significant transition for the event. The KSN has ended its nearly 30-year partnership with the agency BPA Sport Marketing following disagreements over the project's direction and financing. A new partnership has been formed with Sport Club ČR, led by Michal Kopecký.

The changes have brought scrutiny to KSN Chairman Michal Dusík. Reports have surfaced regarding his past involvement in 2014 with the Order of the Guardians of the Crown and Sword, a group linked to controversial figures. Dusík has denied any political or ideological affiliations, stating his involvement was strictly related to charitable activities for children in foster care.