Art and Technology: Servotecnica’s Slip Rings at the Paris Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympics celebrated the return of the Games to the French capital after a century, offering an event marked by innovation, sustainability, and sporting excellence. Paris welcomed athletes and spectators worldwide for a summer of thrilling competitions and unforgettable moments, leaving a lasting mark on Olympic history.
In this context, Servotecnica is proud to have contributed to the statue’s creation by artist David Černý, installed outside the Olympic Village. The sculpture is a tribute to Věra Čáslavská, a Czechoslovak gymnast who, between the 1960s and 1970s, became a seven-time Olympic champion, four-time world champion, and eleven-time European champion.
Věra was also a brave fighter for freedom and human rights. A public opponent of the Soviet communist regime and the invasion of Czechoslovakia in the spring of 1968, Věra was threatened with arrest and forced into hiding. Due to her support for the Prague Spring democratization movement, the regime gradually banned her from traveling abroad and competing, leading to the end of her sports career and subjecting her to persecution.
The Czechoslovak Olympic team came up with the idea of honoring Věra Čáslavská by involving artist David Černý, known for his bold and provocative works. The “Věra” sculpture performs two simultaneous rotations made possible by three custom-designed slip rings, specifically designed and manufactured by Servotecnica.
Today, following the Olympics, the statue has been relocated to Prague. This work not only celebrates a crucial sports figure but also represents the spirit of sport and determination and is a stunning example of collaboration between art and technology.