Peter Pavel: When he’s not president, he’s a professional photographer: Why the president of the Czech Republic makes headlines | World News
Some people read, some do yoga, but have you ever wondered what world leaders really do in their free time? For Czech Republic President Peter Pavel, the answer is sports photography. The 64-year-old world leader was spotted attending the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend as a photographer rather than a guest. He arrived with full photography kit and official FIA certification. He arrived at the Hungaroring for Saturday’s race and was photographed in the company of Czech F1 photographer Jiri Krenek.The Czech president was accompanied by a security guard in the pit lane as he chatted with Mohammed bin Sulayem, president of F1’s governing body FIA. He uses both Canon and Nikon camera systems.Interestingly, this is not the first time he has appeared as an amateur photographer at a major racing event. Most recently, he traveled to France in June to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, again equipped with full photography gear. In fact, the former NATO military chief has competed in multiple two- and four-wheel events over the years. Within the Czech Republic, he covered the MotoGP and World Superbike events in Brno, while he also traveled to the United States and Saudi Arabia to film the NASCAR and Dakar Rally respectively. Some of his photos from the 2025 Dakar event (where he also supported Czech runners) are on display at the National Technical Museum in Prague.In addition to being a hobby, the president also uses his photography for charity. In 2025, he also raised nearly 30,000 euros by auctioning photo albums for a charity dedicated to children, single parents and the elderly.“Motorsport is a fascinating world and I’m glad that I can not only watch it but also document it in some way and share it with others. I hope my photos will give viewers a closer look at the beauty and challenges of this legendary event. ” he said at the launch of the exhibition in March 2025.
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<p>He became the fourth president of the Czech Republic and the 12th president since Czechoslovakia declared independence in 1918.</p>
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Petr Pavel was born on November 1, 1961 in Plana, then part of Czechoslovakia. His father was an intelligence officer who served in the Tabor Western Military District Command from 1973 to 1989. While at grammar school, Pavel was a member of the Pioneer Organization of the Socialist Youth League. From 1975 to 1979 he studied at the Jan Zizka Military Gymnasium in Opava and became a member of the Socialist Youth League. In 1979, he began studying at the Veskov Army Military University. In 1980, he became a professional soldier in the Czechoslovak army with the rank of sergeant and was promoted to second lieutenant in 1982. When he graduated from graduate school in 1983, Pavel applied to join the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. After a two-year mandatory waiting period, he joined the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in 1985.After the Velvet Revolution, he completed his studies at the Defense Intelligence College in Bethesda, Camberley Staff College, the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, and graduated from King’s College London with a master’s degree in international relations.Pavel served in the 1st Czechoslovak Battalion of the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia. In January 1993, his unit was sent to participate in the evacuation of Karin Base, a French military outpost besieged by Serbian forces. After the Bosnian campaign, he held various positions in the Czech army and represented the Czech Republic in various military and diplomatic posts in Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States. From 1993 to 1994, Pavel served as Deputy Attaché of the Czech Republic in Belgium. From 1997 to 1999, he served as the commander of the 6th Special Forces Brigade. From 1999 to 2002, he served as Representative to NATO’s Brynsom Headquarters. In 2003, he served as the National Military Representative to U.S. Central Command at Operation Enduring Freedom Headquarters in Tampa. During the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, he served as a liaison officer at U.S. headquarters in Qatar. From 2007 to 2009 he served as the Czech Republic’s Military Representative to the European Union in Brussels, and subsequently from 2010 to 2011 as the Czech Republic’s Representative to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces Europe in Mons. Pavel was promoted to major general in 2010 and lieutenant general in 2012. From July 2011 to June 2012, Pavel served as Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces and was later promoted to Chief of General Staff.He served as Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, he retired from the Army after 34 years of service and was honorably discharged at the end of his term. In 2021, Pavel announced his candidacy for the 2023 presidential election. He became the fourth president of the Czech Republic and the 12th president since Czechoslovakia declared independence in 1918.
Who is Peter Pavel?
