René Novotný (born 10 June 1963) is a Czech former competitive pair skater. With Radka Kovaříková, he is the 1995 World champion and 1995 European silver medalist. Personal life Novotný was born on 10 June 1963 in Brno. He was married to Radka Kovaříková from 1996 to 2010. His second wife is named Soňa. Skating career until 1988 Novotný skated with Ingrid Ženatá from the late 1970s until 1981. Their partnership ended because she had spinal problems. Partnership with Havlová Novotný's next partner was Jana Havlová. After winning bronze at the 1982 Prague Skate, they won the Czechoslovak national title. They went on to compete at two ISU Championships, placing 9th at the 1983 Europeans in Dortmund and 15th at the 1983 Worlds in Helsinki. Havlová struggled with ankle injuries. The partnership ended in 1984. Partnership with Knapová In 1984, Novotný teamed up with Lenka Knapová. The pair won four Czechoslovak national titles and competed at seven ISU Championships; their best result, fourth, came at the 1987 European Championships in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. They also competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but withdrew after placing 9th in the short program. Ivan Rezek served as their coach. Making their final appearance together, Knapová/Novotný placed 8th at the 1988 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. She retired due to knee problems. Partnership with Kovaříková Novotný teamed up with Radka Kovaříková in 1988. 1989–1990 season They won the 1989 Prague Skate and took bronze at three events – the 1989 Nebelhorn Trophy, 1989 Grand Prix International de Paris, and 1989 Skate Electric. The pair placed sixth at the 1990 European Championships in Leningrad, Soviet Union, and 8th at the 1990 World Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 1990–1991 season Kovaříková/Novotný won silver at the 1990 Skate America, bronze at the 1990 Nations Cup, and bronze at the 1990 Skate Electric. They placed fourth at the 1991 European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, and sixth at the 1991 World Championships in Munich, Germany. 1991–1992 season Kovaříková/Novotný received the silver medal at the 1991 Grand Prix International de Paris, bronze at the 1991 Nations Cup, and silver at the 1991 NHK Trophy. They placed third in the short program, fourth in the free skate, and fourth overall at the 1992 European Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland. They finished fourth at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, having ranked fourth in both segments. They concluded