Tamara Svatíková: A Season of Challenges, Records, and Goals

Tamara Svatíková has completed a successful 2024 season, achieving her athletic goals and breaking several personal records. In this interview, she shares her motivation, challenges, and plans for the next year. Read about how this young athlete views her journey and what drives her forward. 

Tamara, the past year has been full of success for you, especially in the heptathlon. How would you summarize your 2024 season? What was your biggest motivation?

This season was quite challenging for me, but it ended very well. At the beginning of the year, I wrote down my goals, and there was no other option but to achieve them. Even during tough moments, I had people around me who motivated me. I was also driven by my previous season, where I failed to make it to a major event. This year, I knew I was prepared to show what I could do.

At the start of the season, you must have set some goals. Did you achieve them? Did the season meet your expectations?

Of course, I'm very satisfied with the season. I achieved my main goal, but I initially had a different plan. My focus was primarily on the heptathlon, but it didn't go as expected. I had a qualifying time in the 100m hurdles, but it wasn't my priority. In the end, I ran another qualifying time in the 200m at my last competition, which came as a surprise because I hadn't trained for such a performance. Additionally, I was nominated for the relay, which made me really happy.

At which competition this season did you feel your best? Which results are most memorable for you?

I felt my best at the U23 Slovak Championships, where I achieved a personal best and a qualifying time in the 200m. I think this surprised and delighted not only me but also my coach, which means a lot to me. I also thoroughly enjoyed the European Championships. It was something completely new for me, and I treated it more like a reward, but even there, I delivered a strong performance with another personal best.

Sports bring challenging moments too. What were your biggest challenges this year, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was the thought of, "What if it doesn't work out, what if I don't make it?" But that ultimately motivated and pushed me forward. I turned every small and big problem into new strength and didn't give up until the very end.

How did these moments help you grow, and what did you learn from them?

This year taught me that it's worth waiting for the good things and not giving up just because a few competitions didn't go well or something affected my performance. All the bad moments passed, and eventually, something I had been waiting for years to achieve arrived. I believe this is just the beginning of my journey.

The heptathlon requires demanding preparation. What does a typical training session look like for you, and how do you stay in shape during the season?

My training plan is very diverse. Every session starts with a proper warm-up, followed by the main phase. During preparation, we focus more on volume, running more intervals, and working on strength exercises. At training camps, I focus on specific techniques for long jump, high jump, hurdles, and running form. During the season, we just fine-tune the details and maintain fitness. For me, staying disciplined is more important than motivation from results. I try not to skip any training sessions, even when I have a lot of schoolwork.

What role do your team and family play in your success? How do they support you during the season?

Most of my support comes from my training group. We're a team of athletes who understand and support each other because we share similar goals. My coach is always willing to help if something comes up, even sacrificing personal time. Since I'm away from home for school, I don't see my family or my old training group in Jablonica as often, but I can always count on them. This system works very well for me, and I'm especially grateful to Aďo Kubica, who showed me a few years ago what opportunities I actually have.

What motivates you the most when things get tough—do you have any training tricks or mental exercises?

I don't do any specific mental exercises. I try to solve problems on my own because I can't always count on someone being there for me. Even after a bad training session or competition, I feel better if I let things settle in my mind and wait for them to pass.

The year 2025 comes with new opportunities. What are your goals for the next season?

I've had my goals for the new season set for a while. My main task will be achieving the qualifying time for the European Junior Championships in the 100m hurdles. After that, I'll focus on improving my times and hope to secure a spot on the team for the event. Although I'll be a first-year junior and will face higher hurdles, I believe I can do it.

Are there specific disciplines you want to focus on, or are you aiming to improve across the heptathlon?

I'll focus on the heptathlon, but only at national competitions. The peak of my season will be the Slovak Championships, where I want to showcase my versatility.

How do you see your career in the long run? Would you like to represent Slovakia at major events?

I'll only be a first-year junior, so I don't have big plans for the future yet. I'd love to represent Slovakia at major events, and if everything goes as it should, I think I can achieve that. However, I don't think about it too much and rely on my experience and coaches to help me accomplish what we aim for.

Who or what inspires you to keep improving your performance?

I'm greatly inspired by memorable moments from competitions—not just mine but also those of my friends or world-class athletes. I enjoy watching them celebrate their results and imagining myself in their place. I often watch my own videos to revisit good moments, which reminds me that I want to experience them again.

What advice would you give to kids starting with athletics, and how can they make sports their favorite activity?

I'd advise them to do it primarily for themselves, not for their parents or coaches. If they enjoy it, they'll train better and learn more. Trusting their coach and always talking about even the smallest problems is important. They shouldn't give up when they think it's no longer worth it because that's when the most beautiful moments happen.

What would you like to say to your fans and everyone following your athletic journey?

First of all, I want to thank everyone who supports me and stands by me through everything. It's a great feeling to know that someone is happy about my results, and that pushes me forward. I always appreciate it when someone comes to my competitions and cheers me on. It motivates me to give my maximum and bring joy not only to myself but also to others.