Pavel Maslak and Zuzana Hejnova spent last summer wondering what might have been, but now they have the perfect way to banish any bad memories.
Infact, it could not have fallen better for the Czech Republic's two leading track and field stars.
The duo return to the big time at these European Athletics Indoor Championships in Prague and both cannot wait to run in front of their home crowd.
Maslak is the defending 400m champion and while Hejnova's reputation is all about her exploits over the 400m hurdles, this time she will be in the 800m.
'I am really looking forward to competing,' said Hejnova. 'It is a special atmosphere in the 02 Arena and I am excited by it.'
Maslak agreed. He said: 'I cannot wait for the championships where I will be running in front of my family and my friends. There should be great excitement.'
Injuries put an end to their chances of running at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich in August when they both probably would have left with another gold medal in the bag. Maslak is one of the world's leading 400m athletes, while Hejnova had become unstoppable over the barriers.
It all began for Maslak on the senior European stage in 2012, outdoors in Helsinki, when he won the title and then repeated his golden glory the following March at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Gothenburg before becoming world indoor champion 12 months later.
He has returned this winter to lead the European Athletics rankings with 45.27 and is confident that he will retain his title.
'I think I will do it,' he said at Thursday's press conference ahead of the start of the championships where among his rivals will be Israel's Donald Blair-Sanford, the bronze medallist from Zurich.
If Maslak does win, he will join an elite list because only two men have successfully kept hold of this 400m crown - Great Britain's Du'aine Ladejo, the champion in 1994 and 1996, and Ireland's David Gillick, who won in 2005 and 2007.
Hejnova's comeback has meant a gradual climb towards regaining the speed she needs at 400m - with or without hurdles - and it is the reason she is running over four laps.
While Britain's Jenny Meadows is the favourite, having broken two minutes this winter, Hejnova is here to see what lies ahead.
She said: 'It will be a new experience for me. Last year I quit the season injured and my speed is not so good. It is why I have decided to try the 800m.'
A woman of her ability, who has become used to winning the major races, it would be no surprise if she makes an impact, no matter how raw she is at a distance she has rarely run.
Yet to the home crowd, they will cheer her all the way whatever happens. Just seeing Maslak and Hejnova at their own championships is celebration enough for the people of the Czech Republic.
5th March 2015 03:56