The new speed skating arena has been talked about for 20 years, Babiš has promised it several times

A selection of information about the promised speed skating hall in the Czech Republic (Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) spoke today with the representatives of Žďár nad Sázavou, about the possibility of a speed skating hall being built in the city):

- The construction of a covered speed skating hall has been discussed in the Czech Republic since 2006, when speed skater Martina Sáblíková first appeared at the Olympic Games in Turin, where she finished fourth. A year later, media reported that a new hall could be constructed in Nový Osek near Kolín. In March 2010, then-chairman of the ČSSD Jiří Paroubek stated that if his party won the May elections, the new government and the region would assist with the infrastructure for the construction of a speed skating hall in Velký Osek. However, the original project to build a speed skating hall for 1.5 billion in Velký Osek, where Sáblíková and her coach Petr Novák relocated, later failed.

- In March 2014, then Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (ČSSD) said during a visit to Nové Město na Moravě that a hall with a speed skating track could be built in Sáblíková's hometown. A sports complex in Nové Město was supposed to become one of six or seven Olympic centers that the government was considering.

- In 2015, Brno began to seek to build a speed skating track. Coach Novák discussed this possibility in the summer with then Minister of Finance Andrej Babiš (ANO) and then Brno Mayor for ANO Petr Vokřál. The speed skating hall was estimated to cost around 300 to 350 million crowns and was to be built near the Faculty of Sports Studies at Masaryk University. Babiš stated that he intended to discuss sports funding with then Minister of Education Kateřina Valachová (ČSSD). According to Mladá fronta Dnes (MfD), Babiš saw no logic in building a speed skating hall in the ten thousand population Nové Město na Moravě. However, MfD wrote in September of that year that the idea of building a speed skating hall in Brno was unlikely to materialize, but it should be realized in Nové Město na Moravě.

- Babiš promised to build a speed skating hall as Prime Minister again in April 2018. In March 2019, Babiš met with Sáblíková and Novák at the government office and thanked them for their outstanding results and excellent representation of the Czech Republic. One of the topics was also the planned construction of the speed skating stadium. "Mr. Novák has identified a new location that is reportedly suitable in every way. As soon as the agreement with the investors is known, we will start negotiations," said Babiš, noting that the construction of a speed skating hall is one of his government's priorities.

- In May 2019, Babiš told ČTK that the state would look for funds to finance the construction of the hall for speed skaters once it became clear where it would be built. "The Pardubice region has supposedly found a location, and I expect that if they really arrange it, then we can sit down at the table and discuss how much for that hall," Babiš said. According to him, speed skater Sáblíková deserves the hall as she has made the sport famous and does great advertising for the Czech Republic.

- At an ANO pre-election meeting in Dobrá in the Frýdek-Místek area last September, a 64-year-old man hit the leader of the ANO movement, Babiš, on the head with a crutch. According to his words, he was most provoked by Babiš's response to a question about the hall for speed skater Sáblíková. "What nonsense and lies are you bringing here?" Babiš allegedly asked based on his question, as reported by the server iDNES.cz. The assailant, who said he acted in a fit of rage and claimed to be bothered by politicians' lies, was arrested by police immediately after the act. The leader of the ANO movement was injured and treated in a hospital; he interrupted his election program for two days after the attack. The district court in Frýdek-Místek sentenced the senior citizen this January for disorderly conduct and attempted bodily harm to a year-long suspended sentence with a two-year probation period. Additionally, it ruled that he must reimburse the insurance company for the costs associated with treating the attacked politician, which amounted to about 3,000 crowns. In March, the regional court in Ostrava confirmed the suspended sentence for the assailant.

- In mid-February of this year, while congratulating speed skater Metoděj Jílek on his gold medal, Prime Minister Babiš referred to Sáblíková's coach, Petr Novák, as the reason why the hall was not built.

- Businessman Petr Dědek also spoke about the speed skating hall this March; according to him, the sports facility could be built in the Pardubice region Hůrka, which is a former military complex. According to him, the project would need support from the state and the city. The hall with facilities and accommodation could cost around one billion crowns. The state could have it ready in four years; the oval could measure 400 meters, and the capacity for ice sports would be 400 seats.

- Today, during a visit to Žďár nad Sázavou, Prime Minister Babiš discussed with the city's representatives the possibility of a speed skating hall being constructed there. The city wants to sign a memorandum with the state about the construction, which the city council will approve on June 11. According to Žďár nad Sázavou Mayor Martin Mrkos (STAN, for Žďár-the living city), Žďár is just one of the possible locations for the hall. The hall could be built on city-owned land in the Bouchalka area. The Vysočina region is having an impact study for the Žďár sports facility prepared, which will be completed in July.