For Czech lifesaver Iveta Bezpalcová, the Lifesaving World Championships 2026 will be another opportunity to represent her country on the world stage, returning to the competition after making her World Championships debut on the Gold Coast in 2024.

Now entering her third year with the Youth Czech Lifesaving Team, Bezpalcová has already enjoyed success at international level, including an individual bronze medal in the Surf Race at the European Junior Championships and multiple European relay medals as the first swimmer in the Rescue Tube Rescue event.

With a passion for swimming and a love for the water, Bezpalcová is preparing to take on the Surf Race, Super Lifesaver and Obstacle Swim in South Africa.

We caught up with Iveta to find out more about her lifesaving journey, preparation and what she is looking forward to most at LWC2026.

What does being selected for the Lifesaving World Championships 2026 mean to you personally?

It means a lot to me. I’m proud to be representing Czechia at such a prestigious event as the Lifesaving World Championships for the second time after LWC 2024 in Australia.

Can you share a bit about your background in lifesaving and how you first got involved in the sport?

I got into lifesaving when I was young. I really liked swimming and was keen to try something new. Lifesaving is pretty popular in my hometown, so I gave it a go and instantly fell in love with it, even though the beginning was a bit of a challenge.

Who has had the biggest influence on your lifesaving career, and in what way?

My family has had the biggest influence on me, and I’m so grateful to them for that. They’re always there for me, even when things don’t go as planned. A special thing for me is that my older sister is also part of the Czech Lifesaving Team.

Can you give us an insight into your preparation or training leading into Worlds? What does a typical week look like for you?

I signed up to a sports school that’s all about swimming, so I’m training in the pool many times a week and hitting the gym. At the weekend, I like to get out on the water, either kayaking or board paddling.

Which events will you be competing in, and what are you most looking forward to?

I’ll be taking part in events like the Surf Race, Super Lifesaver and Obstacle Swim.

What are your expectations for the competition?

My goals for this World Championships are probably similar to everyone else’s: I want to perform at my best, get good results and set new personal bests.

What’s one thing you’d like people to know about you, either as an athlete or outside the sport?

My favourite food is spaghetti. I’m not a fan of running, sorry to all you runners out there, but I haven’t really bonded with running yet, so I’m sticking with swimming for now.

See you at the LWC in South Africa, guys!