It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed in 2018 since the legendary triumph of our ice hockey players at Nagano winter Olympics in Japan. For the golden success of the Czech representation, we could thank the performers on the ice, but also the man who stood in the background, their trainer Ivan Hlinka commemorated by the gold coin of the Czech Mint.

Commemorative coins originated in Jablonec nad Nisou under the supervision of the most prominent people. The ceremony was attended by Libena Hlinková - widow of the world-famous coach - and Martin Procházka - left wing and one of the golden boys from Nagano. "Of course, I remember Ivan Hlinka very fondly, because I had a wonderful time in my career with him. He was my most favorite coach who was like our dad. He knew which player to choose, whom to believe, and we all gave him the confidence back. He was a man who, wherever he came, radiated a huge charisma. He was a coach who really deserves this honor. I appreciate it, thank you, and I wish the coin the same success as Ivan Hlinka had, " remembers the quadruple world champion. "I thank to all the employees of the Czech Mint who participated in the coin processing. You have done a wonderful job and I am extremely proud. Thank you and I believe that Ivan´s coin, but also the coins of other hockey players which are just about to release, will find their place not only among the fans, " added Mrs. Libena.

"In the childhood I played soccer and hockey like every kid, so the job was wonderful for me. I am interested in sports themes and I have been cooperating with the Czech Mint since 1995, " says author of the ice hockey coin Mgr. Petr Horák, a Jablonec pedagogue and medal maker. The reverse side of the coin takes a portrait of a charismatic coach surrounded by the inscription "IVAN HLINKA - THE GOLDEN TEAM COACH - NAGANO 1998". Since the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with a foreign issuer's license, which is the state of Samoa, its obverse side bears its necessary attributes - the national emblem, the name and portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the nominal value of 50 DOLLARS (WST) and the year of the issue 2018.