There are moments when sport transcends competition – and Slovenia recently witnessed one of them. Inside Slovenia's biggest climbing venue in Slovenska Bistrica, time slowed down for 24 hours as Janja Garnbret – the world’s greatest competitive climber, Olympic champion, ambassador of Slovenian tourism, and now also ambassador of compassion – set out on a journey that was as much about heart as it was about strength.
Janja Garnbret Joins Slovenia’s Godfathers in Sports
The event was part of her role in Botrstvo v športu (Godparenting in Sports), a uniquely Slovenian initiative in which the country’s most prominent athletes take on the responsibility of raising funds and awareness for underprivileged children in sport. By accepting this ambassadorship, Janja joined the ranks of sports legends such as Goran Dragić, Tina Maze and Aleksander Čeferin – becoming the youngest athlete ever to carry this honour.
Her mission was as simple as it was ambitious: to climb 100 routes in 24 hours. But as with everything Janja does, the true meaning reached far beyond numbers and records. It was about inspiring people, raising funds for children who dream of sport but lack the means and proving once again that Slovenia’s greatest strength lies not only in victories, but in solidarity.
The Youngest “Godmother of Sports”
“Botrstvo v športu” (Godparenting in Sports) is a uniquely Slovenian initiative. Unlike anything seen elsewhere, it places top athletes in the role of public ambassadors, raising awareness and funds to help underprivileged children take part in sport. Over the years, icons like NBA star Goran Dragić, skiing legend Tina Maze and UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin have carried the title.
At the end of 2024, the honour passed to Janja Garnbret. At just 26, she became the youngest athlete ever to step into this role – nearly a decade younger than her predecessors. Her selection was more than symbolic. It sent a message: greatness is not measured by the size of budgets or salaries, but by the depth of commitment to one’s community. In sports like climbing, where resources are modest compared to basketball or skiing, the willingness to give back carries even more weight.
I see this as a big responsibility. Sport has given me so much – joy, discipline, friendships, purpose. Every child deserves a chance to feel that.
A Night and Day of Climbing for Others
The 24-hour climbing marathon, presented by Allianz, was designed as a once-in-a-lifetime event. From the very first moments, it became clear that this was no ordinary challenge. More than 2,200 climbers and fans from 23 countries gathered in Slovenska Bistrica to support, cheer and even climb alongside Janja.
Every route, every boulder completed by participants added to the collective total, turning the gym into a hive of energy and togetherness.For Janja, however, the spotlight came with an unrelenting task: to complete 100 routes in 24 hours.
This was one of the most emotional and powerful moments of my career. Climbing for 24 hours was long and exhausting, but it was also filled with so much positive energy, meaning and purpose. When I topped the 100th route, I was completely drained, but also completely full – of gratitude, pride and belief in what we can achieve when sport meets purpose.
A Community United
What made the event unforgettable was not just Janja’s achievement, but the way it drew people together. Families arrived with children who got to climb their first walls. Veteran climbers travelled from abroad to join the cause. Fans held up banners, cheered from the mats and even tried routes themselves, discovering in their own way what it means to push past limits.
By the end of the public broadcast, the initiative had already raised €61,478.29 for young athletes. But beyond numbers, what lingered was the sense of connection.
I felt that we were climbing not only on the wall, but also towards a higher purpose together.
From Slovenia to the World
Slovenia has long been a land where sport carries a deeper meaning. In this small country nestled between the Alps, the Karst, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian plain, sporting achievements are not just victories, but collective celebrations. When Luka Dončić scores on the basketball court, when Tadej Pogačar pedals up Alpe d’Huez, when Tina Maze used to fly down a slope – the whole nation feels it.
Janja Garnbret belongs firmly in that lineage, yet she brings something new. Climbing, once seen as niche, has grown into a global phenomenon, thanks in no small part to her. By choosing to dedicate her ambassadorship year to young athletes through Botrstvo v športu, she has made climbing a symbol of Slovenia’s values: hard work, humility, perseverance and above all, care for one another.
A Human Side of a Champion
Behind the chalk-covered hands and Olympic medals is a woman deeply rooted in her community. At the event, Janja didn’t hide in a VIP area. Throughout the marathon, she found time to connect with fans and fellow climbers of all ages – encouraging young beginners, sharing smiles with families and showing that her generosity of spirit reaches far beyond medals.
These small gestures revealed the essence of Janja’s greatness. Not only her unmatched ability on the wall, but her warmth, her humanity and her ability to make everyone feel part of something bigger.
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