Czech Republic Receives Official Recognition in Obstacle Course Running (OCR) by World OCR FEDERATION.
We are proud to announce that on October 21, 2025, in Lausanne, the Czech Ninja & Obstacle Federation, z.s. (CNOF) was officially accredited as the national governing body for obstacle course racing in the Czech Republic by the international federation World OCR (Fédération Mondiale de Course à Obstacles, FMCO).
The Czech OCR/OCRC/NINJA scene is growing. We are an official part of it and a driving force behind it.
As the Czech Ninja & Obstacle Federation, z.s. (CNOF), we are an official member of the World OCR Federation (Fédération Mondiale de Course à Obstacles) and the national governing body for obstacle course racing in the Czech Republic.
We are proud that Czechia is part of the global OCR movement – and that CNOF is at the forefront of the development of the Czech OCR scene and the modern discipline of OCRATHLON.
What do we do and where are we headed?
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- We actively develop the OCR community and, more recently, OCRATHLON
- We connect athletes, clubs, coaches, and organizers
- We set uniform rules and standards according to World OCR
- We open the way for Czech competitors to international competitions and championships
OCR and OCRATHLON are dynamic, attractive, and rapidly growing sports – and our goal is for the Czech Republic to be among the respected OCR countries of the world.
World federation. Czech footprint.
Thanks to our connection to World OCR, we have a direct influence on the development of the sport, represent the Czech Republic at the international level, and help build a strong, fair, and sustainable OCR structure. OCR is not just a race. It is a community. And we are moving it forward in Czechia.
This accreditation marks the formal inclusion of the Czech Republic within the international OCR community, and grants Czech Ninja & Obstacle Federation, z.s. the exclusive authority to oversee, promote, and develop the sport of OCR in the Czech Republic in accordance with World OCR standards.
Pursuit of Official Sport Recognition in the Czech Republic
This recognition will enable:
- Formal integration of OCR into the national sports framework
- Eligibility to register as a national sports federation with the mandate to represent the Czech Republic in international competitions as a Full Member under World OCR
- Access to public funding, grants, and strategic cooperation with national sports institutions
- Technical development support and educational resources
- Enhanced national and international prestige
- Protection of athletes’ rights and organizational interests
- Implementation of internationally recognized standards and best practices
Securing Strategic Support and Funding
– The Czech Sports Union (ČUS) – leading organization of national sports federation
– The National Sports Agency (NSA) – responsible for managing state sports funding in the Czech Republic
– The European Commission (EC) – through the Erasmus+ Sport program
– The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) – responsible for the accreditation of sports federations
Securing this funding is crucial for organizing races, supporting athletes, youth development, and building training infrastructure in the Czech Republic.
Additional sources of funding and grants may include regional, municipal, and city-level programs, as well as donations from sponsors, partners, etc.
Establishment of an OCR Coaching and Technical Officials Certification System
- Issuance of officially accredited coaching licenses for the OCR sport
- Professional development of OCR coaches and the creation of an educational system
- Improved training methods and preparation for racing in accordance with international World OCR standards
Our goal is not only to support athletes, but also to ensure high-quality coaching and methodology that meets global standards.
Vision and Strategic Goals
- Advance the development and promotion of OCR at both national and international levels
- Build strong partnerships with race organizers, coaches, clubs, and community stakeholders to grow the OCR community
- Host official national OCR competitions, including the Czech OCR National Championship
- Secure formal recognition of OCR as a sport by Czech authorities
- Create not only a national training and education system, but also a structured sports system for OCR, including youth academies, in alignment with World OCR standards
- Develop cooperation with World OCR and gradually prepare bids to host World Cups, European Championships, and World Championships in the Czech Republic
- We are currently working to obtain accreditation for OCRC (Obstacle Course Running with Dogs) and Ninja competitions from the respective international federations. These disciplines are closely connected with OCR and together form a strong and fast-growing platform for obstacle sports, both in the Czech Republic and globally.
Responsibilities as the Official National OCR Authority
– The World OCR Code of Ethics
– The World OCR Disciplinary Regulations
– The Statutes of World OCR
– Principles and rules of fair play, integrity, and respect for other members
– GDPR
– Compliance with race formats, rules, and standards according to World OCR guidelines
We fully embrace the principles of integrity, fairness, and professionalism, and commit ourselves to upholding the highest standards in the governance and promotion of the sport of OCR.
Conclusion
OCR is the future of obstacle sports – join us and help us build it!