Translations by Tomas Jandik
Jagr's interview after returning from the injury - 'Pravo' daily - 24-Jan-02
http://www.flashnews.cz/toCP1250.en/index.php3?iid=10600&detailclanku=46205

JAGR: TO GO TO SALT LATE CITY MAKES SENSE ONLY IF I AM HEALTHY

You have just returned back to the carousel of NHL games; is the groin pain gone?

Not by a longshot. But I had to try whether I can even play with it at all. I decided to go for it for sure only after the pre-game skating. I told Coach Wilson that I’d be available, though to a limited extent only.

Nevertheless, you managed to top your performance against Atlanta with a goal. How do you feel?

In the heat of the game, I tried to forget about the troubles, though I had prayed all that time not to make my injury any worse. I feel better now compared to the previous three days; the most important is that I survived. Groins are tough. It may seem all right now, but just one careless move may make me miserable again.

Do the above mentioned health problem jeopardize your chances to play at the Olympics?

I want to play. I have been getting used to the fact that the groins are my chronic problem; on the other hand I say that going to Salt Lake City makes sense only if I am healthy. Still, I have experienced some health problems so often that I should be able to perform well even when affected by them. For example, I was playing pretty well without my front tooth.

And what about Washington and the play-offs?

A lot of people don’t count on us making it to the Stanley Cup [play-offs] anymore, but I believe that we will still make it. However, we have to start winning the majority of our games, say, every two out of three.

In this season, you had to skip already 10 games. Does it influence your [physical] shape?

I am glad I was even able to play, and you start suddenly asking about my shape. Four weeks remain until the Olympics and so many things can happen. In addition, I myself, even though I am a captain, don’t create the national team. I still want to help, though. That’s obvious.

Tomas Jandik is the resident Czech on LetsGoPens.com and is a man who unifies all the goodies of the American dream - meaning, of course, being a Pitt graduate, a Razorback, and a Penguins fan.

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