Kamil Pavlinsky – Athlete with a mission

A former indoor volleyball player, Kamil Pavlinsky holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from institutions in Greece. Today, he is an active Beach Volleyball athlete - but above all, he is a young man committed to giving back to society. Pavlinsky recently competed in the Ios Futures, where he recorded one win and one loss during the qualifiers.

After his matches on the island of Ios, he shared his thoughts about a special project that combines Beach Volleyball, Olympic values, and social impact. He also expressed his belief that Greece could embrace a similar path.

What are your first impressions of the Ios tournament and its organisation?
This is my first time in Greece. Although I earned my master’s degree from a Greek university, all my classes were online due to COVID-19. I think the event is very well organised. There are four courts, including practice courts, and everything is set up just as it should be. The only downside is the wind – we are not used to it. But aside from that, everything is perfect. We are used to the heat; in Slovakia, we sometimes reach 40 degrees Celsius. But the wind is new for us.

Do you plan to play in Greece again in the future?
Definitely, it’s in our plans. Greece isn’t just great for Beach Volleyball – it is also a wonderful place to relax, unwind, and enjoy life. We’ll stay in Ios until Saturday, then head to Santorini until Monday, and from there, we will go to Czechia. Our main goal was to make it into the main draw. This was only our second tournament. The first was in Prague, where we also won our first match but were eliminated in the second. These experiences are valuable for us, and we want more of them.

You are only 29 but have already done a lot. One of your efforts combines Beach Volleyball with social impact, especially for children with fewer opportunities. Can you tell us more?
I run several projects aimed at underprivileged children, and Beach Volleyball is at the heart of it. Through my research, I found that the children most excluded from sports are those from orphanages or families without financial resources. The first camp was held in Slovakia - a five-day event where children could try many different sports and choose what they liked. Now that I have moved to Prague, the project continues there with a focus on Beach Volleyball.

We incorporate Olympic values like respect and friendship, while teaching the basics of the sport: how to serve, how to attack. Some of these kids had never even stepped on sand before. For them, it’s a fantastic experience. We aim to organise two camps per year. Our next goal is to start year-round training to help these children stay involved in the sport.

What motivated you to start this? Was it about giving something back to society?
Exactly. Sport has given me so much - I wanted to give something back. That’s when I discovered the IOC Young Leaders Programme, and it was a truly inspiring moment for me. I applied, got accepted, and decided that Volleyball - specifically Beach Volleyball - would be my focus. I felt I had something to offer, so I committed to it.

Do you think Greece could develop a similar project?
Absolutely. I really love this country. Greece, after all, is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. It would be a great opportunity for the country to launch a similar initiative.