How I saw greatness in Sablikova

Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic holds a national flag as she celebrates her gold medal victory in the women's 3000 metres speed skating race at the Richmond Olympic Oval during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 14, 2010.

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Twelve years after seeing something special in the mind and heart of 10-year-old Martina Sablikova, speed skating coach Petr Novak's prediction of greatness for the scrawny Czech kid was fulfilled.

Sablikova reached the final goal set for her by Novak when she claimed Olympic gold in the women's 3,000 meters on Sunday.

She turned away from basketball to give skating a try with coach Novak in a village about 135 km (84 miles) southeast of Prague after she found it hard to blend into the team game.

One year later, Novak was convinced he had a future champion in a country without a single skating oval.

"I said to Martina, 'you are a good girl for speed skating and you have a chance for world record, for Olympic champion, for world champion. I hope that time will come'," Novak told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

"And now is that time."

The still-slender Sablikova became the first Czech woman to win an Olympic speed skating gold and is world champion at both the 3,000 and 5,000 meters, and holds the 5,000 world record.

Sablikova, who carries only 54 kg (119 pounds) on her 1.71 (5ft 7in) frame, overcame many disadvantages.

"I know what I have in Czech Republic. No ice rink. Zero. No money for speed skating. I have only what I have here -- Martina," Novak said.

'NEW POSSIBILITIES, NEW TECHNIQUES'

"For me, talent is here and here," the ever-smiling coach said, pointing to his head and heart. "I must keep looking for new possibilities, new techniques."

Novak, 62, said big muscles were overrated in the sport. More important was coordination, conditioning and technique.

He said he has Sablikova riding the bicycle, running, and doing special jumping exercises to build her conditioning in the roads and woods near her rural home.

They travel to Italy and Germany to work on the skating.

One key to Sablikova's success was the speed she hits around the corners, she said.

"She takes 16 or 18 steps," Novak said about her quick strides that increase her speed while making the turn.

Other skaters, including American male world champion and record holder Shani Davis, also increase their work rate in the turns but the technique is not easy, the coach said.

"It's very difficult coordination for the body," he said. "Now she is faster in the corner than on her way into it.

"But the technique is one moment, there must be the other moments as well. You need them all to win the race."

Novak said he hoped Sablikova's triumph would enable them to find support for the country's first indoor oval.

"This is good for speed skating in the Czech Republic. I hope that other skaters are coming from this moment and I hope that from the Czech Republic come new Martina Sablikovas."

(Editing by Jon Bramley)