Czech Republic Receives Official Recognition in Obstacle Course Running (OCR) by World OCR FEDERATION.

We are honoured to announce that on 19th February 2025, in Lausanne, the Czech organization Překážkové sporty, z.s. was officially accredited by the World OCR (Fédération Mondiale de Course à Obstacles, FMCO) as the national governing body for Obstacle Course Running (OCR) in the Czech Republic.

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This accreditation marks the formal inclusion of the Czech Republic within the international OCR community, and grants Překážkové sporty, z.s. the exclusive authority to oversee, promote, and develop the sport of OCR in the Czech Republic in accordance with World OCR standards.

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Pursuit of Official Sport Recognition in the Czech Republic

A key objective of our organization is the official recognition of OCR as an independent sport discipline by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MŠMT).

This recognition will enable:

  • Formal integration of OCR into the national sports framework
  • Eligibility to register as a national sports federation with the mandate to represent the Czech Republic in international competitions as a Full Member under World OCR
  • Access to public funding, grants, and strategic cooperation with national sports institutions
  • Technical development support and educational resources
  • Enhanced national and international prestige
  • Protection of athletes’ rights and organizational interests
  • Implementation of internationally recognized standards and best practices

Securing Strategic Support and Funding

As part of our efforts to gain official recognition of OCR as a sport, we will actively seek funding from key Czech sports institutions, specifically:

– The Czech Sports Union (ČUS) – leading organization of national sports federation
– The National Sports Agency (NSA) – responsible for managing state sports funding in the Czech Republic
– The European Commission (EC) – through the Erasmus+ Sport program
– The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) – responsible for the accreditation of sports federations

Securing this funding is crucial for organizing races, supporting athletes, youth development, and building training infrastructure in the Czech Republic.
Additional sources of funding and grants may include regional, municipal, and city-level programs, as well as donations from sponsors, partners, etc.

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Establishment of an OCR Coaching and Technical Officials Certification System

If OCR is officially recognized as a sport in the Czech Republic, we are prepared to introduce a national education and certification system for OCR coaches and referees, based on World OCR programs, which would enable:

  • Issuance of officially accredited coaching licenses for the OCR sport
  • Professional development of OCR coaches and the creation of an educational system
  • Improved training methods and preparation for racing in accordance with international World OCR standards

Our goal is not only to support athletes, but also to ensure high-quality coaching and methodology that meets global standards.

Vision and Strategic Goals

  • Advance the development and promotion of OCR at both national and international levels
  • Build strong partnerships with race organizers, coaches, clubs, and community stakeholders to grow the OCR community
  • Host official national OCR competitions, including the Czech OCR National Championship
  • Secure formal recognition of OCR as a sport by Czech authorities
  • Create not only a national training and education system, but also a structured sports system for OCR, including youth academies, in alignment with World OCR standards
  • Develop cooperation with World OCR and gradually prepare bids to host World Cups, European Championships, and World Championships in the Czech Republic
  • We are currently working to obtain accreditation for OCRC (Obstacle Course Running with Dogs) and Ninja competitions from the respective international federations. These disciplines are closely connected with OCR and together form a strong and fast-growing platform for obstacle sports, both in the Czech Republic and globally.
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Responsibilities as the Official National OCR Authority

As the World OCR-recognized national governing body for obstacle sports in the Czech Republic, we have the right to represent the Czech Republic at the World OCR General Assembly. At the same time, we are obliged to adhere to:

– The World OCR Code of Ethics
– The World OCR Disciplinary Regulations
– The Statutes of World OCR

We fully embrace the principles of integrity, fairness, and professionalism, and commit ourselves to upholding the highest standards in the governance and promotion of the sport of OCR.

Conclusion

We believe that OCR (Obstacle Course Running) has enormous potential in the Czech Republic, and we are ready to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to elevate the sport to new heights.

OCR is the future of obstacle sports – join us and help us build it!