"It is with deep sorrow that I received the news of the passing of my dear friend Mr. Otto Jelinek. Mr. Jelínek was an outstanding athlete, former Minister of the Canadian Government and Ambassador of Canada to the Czech Republic. Through his work, he made significant contributions to the development of relations between Canada and the Czech Republic. It was my honor to present him with the Medal of Merit for Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic at the Embassy in Ottawa in 2024. I send my sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Jelinek." Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Canada Martin Tlapa.