Slovenia has a sporting heart!

As a warm-up...

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 (September 23) – is dedicated to it.

Hottest sport names at the moment

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.

Tadej Pogačar

The wonder boy who stunned the cycling world as a three-time winner of the prestigious Tour de France and a Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist.

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Primož Roglič

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.

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Janja Garnbret

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).

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Anže Kopitar

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.

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Jan Oblak

Goalkeeper for the Atlético Madrid club and one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

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Tim Gajser

Exceptionally talented motocross racer and five-time motocross world champion (four times in the elite MXGP class).

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Most successful individual sports by number of Olympic medals

In the number of Olympic medals per capita, Slovenia belongs at the very top of the world. Slovenian athletes have won 21 gold, 27 silver and 31 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 were won by gymnasts Leon Štukelj and Miroslav Cerar, Alpine skier Tina Maze, rowers Iztok Čop and Luka Špik, ski jumper Peter Prevc, shooter Rajmond Debevec, snowboarder Žan Košir, sailor Vasilij Žbogar.

Also achieving Olympic supremacy in individual disciplines were hammer thrower Primož Kozmus, judokas Urška Žolnir, Tina Trstenjak and Andreja Leški, cyclist Primož Roglič, sport climber Janja Garnbret, kitesurfer Toni Vodišek, canoeist Benjamin Savšek and ski jumper Urša Bogataj. Winning Olympic gold in team sports were handball players Alenka Cuderman and Rolando Pušnik, while the mixed ski jumping team that in addition to Bogataj and Prevc featured Timi Zajc and Nika Križnar were also Olympic champions.

One team, one heart

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. Slovenian volleyball enjoyed a renaissance a few years ago, with the men's national team reaching the final of the European Championship three times in six years, finishing as runners-up each time, and securing themselves a ticket to the Olympics for the first time in history in 2024 with their excellent performances in the Nations League. 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. The national football team has competed in two World Cups and qualified for the European Championships twice. At EURO 2024 in Germany, they reached the round of 16.

Greatest Slovenian achievements in team sports

Take a look at some of the greatest achievements and results by Slovenia national teams at major competitions.

Sport event fever

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.

Extreme, record-setting, exceptional

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 names and achievements that have stood out the most in the past are extreme skier Davo Karničar and numerous Alpine climbers who have so far won 10 Golden Ice Axe Awards and two Lifetime Achievement Awards, ultra-endurance cyclist Jure Robič, swimmer Martin Strel, ultra-marathon runner Dušan Mravlje and many others. In addition to extreme ventures, there are also individuals who stand out for their exceptional achievements. Learn some of the names who have gained attention for their incredible accomplishments.

Ema Kozin

The current world champion in the WBA and WBC super-welterweight category pushes the limits of Slovenian (female) boxing and has attracted the attention of the Slovenian public to this sport with her high-profile victories after the amazing boxer Dejan Zavec. 

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Alenka Artnik

Multiple world record holder in freediving who breaks records in deep diving. Between 2018 and 2021, Artnik beat the world record in deepest free dive with a monofin six times. She currently holds the record in freediving at 111 metres in the bi-fin discipline.

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Laura Unuk

A young talented chess player, who two titles as World Junior Chess Champion and the title of chess grandmaster.

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Active like Slovenian sport heroes

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.

In the company of sporting legends

Would 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.

Let’s go!

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.