When you visit Slovenia, you will almost certainly come across a hiker, cyclist or runner. These are the most popular activities of Slovenians, and they’re gaining new enthusiasts every year. Healthy living and a sporting heart permeates every facet of life. This is why it’s not surprising that Slovenia has so many top athletes, who win medals at the highest level. In terms of sporting achievements per capita, Slovenia certainly belongs at the very top in the world, and is a true phenomenon in this sense. Since sport has a special place in Slovenia, a new national holiday – Day of Slovenian Sport – is dedicated to it.
The Slovenian men’s volleyball team finished second at the 2021 CEV EuroVolley to attain their third silver medal in the European championships. With their courage and competitiveness, the Slovenian players impressed many fans and made their opponents desperate. They gave the most epic performance against Poland in the run-up to the final, and were only just stopped by Italy in an exciting match that featured five sets.
Slovenia is a true phenomenon when it comes to the successes of its athletes. They make great achievements and win medals in numerous sports. Let us introduce you to some of the hottest names in Slovenian sport at the moment, each of whom stands out in terms of their world-class achievements.
The wonder boy who stunned the cycling world as a two-time winner of the prestigious Tour de France and a Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist.
The former ski jumper has evolved into a world-class cyclist, pushing the milestones of both Slovenian and world cycling to became the first Slovenian cyclist to win an Olympic gold medal.
The young basketball virtuoso, who is breaking records in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and winning the hearts of basketball fans around the world.
The captain of the US ice hockey team Los Angeles Kings, who has won the prestigious Stanley Cup in the National Hockey League (NHL) twice.
The captain of the gold-medal winning national basketball team at the 2017 EuroBasket and a member of the NBA team Miami Heat.
The goalkeeper of the football club Atletico Madrid, the fifth-highest paid goalkeeper in football history and one of the best in the world.
An exceptionally talented motocross rider who despite his youth is already a three-time world champion, twice in the elite MXGP class.
A sport climber, the first in the history of this sports discipline to win the Olympic gold medal and to complete a hat trick of wins in a single championship (in difficult climbing and bouldering and the Olympic combination).
In the number of Olympic medals per capita, Slovenia belongs at the very top of the world. Slovenian athletes have won 12 gold, 18 silver and 26 bronze medals at the Olympics in individual sports. Slovenians have also won some medals as part of national teams in team sports – handball, football and basketball. Also among our most successful sports in terms of Olympic medals won are gymnastics, Alpine skiing, ski jumping, rowing and judo.
The most Olympic medals have been won by gymnasts Leon Štukelj and Miroslav Cerar, Alpine skier Tina Maze, rowers Iztok Čop and Luka Špik, shooter Rajmond Debevec, snowboarder Žan Košir, sailor Vasilij Žbogar, while hammer thrower Primož Kozmus and judokas Urška Žolnir and Tina Trstenjak also boast Olympic champion titles.
Slovenian athletes have once again proved that Slovenia has a prominent place on the Olympic map. Slovenia is among the best in the world in terms of Olympic medals per capita! In Tokyo, 54 female and male athletes represented Slovenia, and never before have there been so many star athletes among them. For the most part, they lived up to expectations. Some even exceeded them.
Slovenian athletes are also making their presence known at major competitions in team sports. Slovenian basketball players climbed to the top of Europe in 2017. The team included Luka Dončić and Goran Dragić, who are among the hottest names in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Dončić was also the driving force behind the historic first appearance of the Slovenian national team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the Slovenian basketball team finished fourth. Volleyball in Slovenia has experienced a true renaissance lately, with the men’s national team being the European championship runners-up three times in six years. Slovenia is also a country where an excellent standard of handball is played. The men's national team has competed at the Olympics three times and is among the favourites at almost all major competitions. The men's national ice hockey team also had the opportunity to feel the Olympic spirit on two occasions.
Take a look at some of the greatest achievements and results by Slovenia national teams at major competitions.
European champions
2017
4th at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
2021
3 x European champion runners-up
2021, 2019, 2015
Gold in the European League
2015
2 x bronze in the European League
2014, 2011
European champion runners-up
Slovenia 2004
Bronze at the World Championship in France
2017
3 x qualification for the Summer Olympics
2016, 2004, 2000
2 x qualification for the Winter Olympics
2018, 2014
Slovenian athletes are attaining top results and winning medals in numerous sports. Perhaps you would not consider this unusual if you were unaware that Slovenia is a nation of (only) 2 million people. How is this possible? See what a renowned former Slovenian sport journalist thinks about it and discover the formula of Slovenia's successes.
Slovenians do not just reach for the summit when it comes to established sports competitions. Extraordinary individuals have always pushed the limits in the mountaineering, diving, ultramarathons, and more. Among the most outstanding names of the recent past are the extreme skier Davo Karničar, mountaineers Tomo Česen and Tomaž Humar, ultramarathon cyclist Jure Robič, swimmer Martin Strel, ultramarathon racer Dušan Mravlje, and many others who stand out for having achieved the extraordinary. Here are some remarkable performances accomplished over the past few years.
Following the success of Dejan Zavec, this young Slovenian boxer has drawn new attention of the Slovenian public to this sport with her astounding wins. Her biggest achievement so far has been the WBC interim champion title.
Alenka Artnik is the world record holder in free-diving, setting records of deep diving. She has set a new world record in the constant weight discipline with a 122-meter dive.
An extreme athlete with exceptional achievements in his genes. He finished, among other exploits, the famous Spartathlon utramarathon race, and made history, together with ski champion Ivica Kostelić, by crossing Iceland on foot and on skis.
A young talented chess player, who at the age of 20 boasts two titles as World Junior Chess Champion and the title of chess grandmaster.
Aleš Česen, Luka Lindič and Luka Stražar are the names of some of Slovenia's finest young alpinists in recent years; all three have already twice claimed the prestigious Piolet d'Or (Golden Ice Axe Award) for their first ascents in various rope teams.
Slovenia ranks among the best in the world in winter sports. One of the most familiar names is certainly Alpine skier Tina Maze, whose career reached important Alpine skiing milestones not only for Slovenia but also at the global level. Although Tina has set her skis aside, there is no lack of winter sporting achievements. Here are some of the most successful winter athletes in recent years.
The third best ski jumper of the past decade, winner of a big crystal globe, six individual Olympic and World Cup medals, three small crystal globes in ski flying and a golden eagle trophy from the Four Hills Tournament, also known as the New Year's Tour.
This Slovenian snowboarder won three medals at the last two Winter Olympics and received one big and two small crystal globes.
The best Slovenian biathlete of the past few years, who regularly ranks among the world’s biathlon elite. He won a silver medal for Slovenia in Pyeongchang and four other World Championship medals under the Slovenian flag.
She succeeded Tina Maze as the new Slovenian queen of downhill skiing, two-time consecutive world champion of the last two competitions, which makes her the first downhill skier in 30 years to have successfully defended a world championship title.
Currently one of the best Slovenian and world cross-country skiers, who brought attention to herself last season by winning the sprint discipline at the prestigious New Year’s Tour and coming in third in the overall standings in the same discipline. This current season, she is once again achieving success after success.
The best Slovenian giant slalom racer, who has climbed the winners’ podium multiple times in the last seasons, including the highest platform.
Slovenian female ski jumpers regularly rank among the best in the world. Nika Križnar and Ema Klinec are currently the best Slovenian female ski jumpers. Nika is the current winner of the large Crystal Globe, and Ema is the world champion on the medium hill. Both were part of the team that won silver at the world championship in Obersdorf.
Have you too been grabbed by the sports fever? Why not discover the active side of Slovenia yourself? Take a look at what can you do in the style of Slovenian sport aces.
Thanks to Roglič and other top Slovenian cyclists, road cycling is becoming increasingly popular. While travelling around Slovenia, you will meet an increasing number of recreational cyclists battling long distances and the hills where the Slovenian champions began their rise to sporting glory. Join them in cycling around the picturesque green countryside.
MoreThanks to Roglič and other top Slovenian cyclists, road cycling is becoming increasingly popular. While travelling around Slovenia, you will meet an increasing number of recreational cyclists battling long distances and the hills where the Slovenian champions began their rise to sporting glory. Join them in cycling around the picturesque green countryside.
MoreDiscover the most attractive climbing challenges in Slovenia. Climb via ferrata of various difficulty levels to reach places that offer magnificent views. Try one of the 113 natural climbing sites. Visit indoor climbing centres and solve the riddle among grips like Janja Garnbret.
MoreSlovenia also has a number of top-level kayakers and canoeists, starting with the reigning Olympic silver medallist Peter Kauzer and European champion Benjamin Savšek. Feel some of the adrenaline they experience on the rapids of the country’s clear rivers. The wildest experience awaits you on the emerald beauty of Soča, while other Slovenian rivers will also be able to provide you with a challenge. If not exactly in a kayak or canoe, maybe in some other vessel.
MoreOur wealth of successful Alpine skiers proves that Slovenians like to ski. The greatest among them is the amazing Tina Maze, while Žan Kranjec and Ilka Štuhec have been discovering winning ways in recent years. Hop on the skis yourself and descend the slopes of Slovenian ski resorts.
MoreSki jumps also have their special place on the Slovenian sport map. This is because of the exceptional achievements of Slovenian ski jumpers, headlined by the "golden eagle" Peter Prevc, but also because of the modern Planica Nordic Centre, dominated by the renowned ski flying hill. You can descend from it on a zip line and feel some of the adrenaline experienced by ski flyers. Planica will host the World Ski Flying Championship, and in 2023 it will be the venue of the Nordic World Ski Championships.
MoreWould you like to hear some more interesting sport stories and achievements by Slovenian athletes? Visit museums and see museum collections which will give you a more detailed insight into the spirit of Slovenian sport.
Feel some more competitive spirit. You can participate in numerous recreational cycling and running events. Even if you are not active in sports, in Slovenia you’ll have the opportunity to support your favourites at numerous international events.
Get your voices ready to cheer on your favourites and come to the idyllic environment of Slovenia’s sports venues.
Get to know Slovenia from a runner's point of view!
Socialise at cycling events across Slovenia!
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Have you too been filled with the athletic spirit? Surrender yourself to it and find your favourite activity in green Slovenia. Perhaps you will also be inspired by the stories of Primož Roglič and Luka Dončić. Get to know the picturesque countryside, kind people and richness of flavours along the way.
Discover the cycling routes of Slovenia, the homeland of Primož Roglič, a top cyclist who became the Olympic champion at the Tokyo Olympics.
Are you in pursuit of adrenaline-filled adventures? Pick your favourites!
Explore Slovenia by bike. The dynamic landscapes of Slovenia, with their countless natural beauties, are ideal for a biking holiday.
Learn about the advantages of choosing Slovenia as your winter holiday destination.
Head to Slovenia for active winter experiences on snow and ice.
Young basketball star Luka Dončić, wearing the jersey of the Dallas Mavericks, has impressed the basketball world and the NBA.
Vacation by rivers, lakes, in thermal spas or at the seaside.
Slovenia is a hiking paradise. More than 10,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails.
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