Jaroslav Bogdálek

Jaroslav Bogdálek was involved in many sports during his youth, including ice hockey, but settled on skiing after joining the Czechoslovakian national team in 1949. He spent the next decade with the squad, earning 13 national titles and taking part in the 1954 and 1958 World Championships, as well as the 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics. At the latter, he was 29th in the slalom, 31st in the giant slalom, and disqualified in the downhill.

Bogdálek began coaching during his competitive career, but took this role on full time after his retirement. He worked as a university professor, earning advanced degrees in physical education in the 1960s and 1970s, but also held positions as a sports administrator and ski official.