BBC SPORT | LIONS DOWN UNDER | Czech inspiration for Charvis

Lions flanker Colin Charvis has an historic figure from troubled times as his inspiration as the squad head to Australia.

One of the interesting things we've had to do before going to Australia is fill in our pen-pics in the official media guide.

One of the questions was who is our favourite sportsman of all time.

Mine is the late Emile Zatopek, the Czech runner who won Olympic gold at 5,000m, 10,000m and the marathon - at his first attempt - in 1952 in Helsinki.

His achievements on the track were amazing enough and I don't think anyone will ever do that again in my opinion.

More light-hearted: Charvis bonding with team-mates
But what he did in the political situation just a few years later was even more amazing.

Zatopek stood up for the Prague Spring in 1968 and its leader Dubcek, who was overthrown by the Soviets.

Zatopek could have basked in the glory of what he'd achieved, but he took the bull by the horns and spoke for what he believed in.

A dangerous task.

Emile was a character with great conviction and if everyone showed that sort of spirit a lot of people would get on in this world.

It is an infant that you've got to nurture into an adult

Charvis on the Lions squad

I don't think I'll ever be in a rally with people pointing guns at me, but I will take inspiration from him when I'm getting a grilling in training sessions in Australia.

And talking of the training it's been hard so far, but we've all got to know each other really well.

In such a short amount of time I've learnt so much about the people in this squad.

There's some guys in the Welsh set up I wouldn't be able to sit down with like I can with these guys.

Charvis' Six Nations performances were impressive
This is a squad that has come together and not evolved like a club or national side.

It is an infant that you've got to nurture into an adult in the week before the first game.

So few people get this honour and it only happens every four years so this is my one opportunity.

This is a dream - I know its cliched - but I can't wait to get out there, get my boots on and play for the Lions.

What would be perfect is to come home having won the Test series.


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