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.
This year’s Slovenian Sports Day will see numerous new top achievements by Slovenian sportswomen and sportsmen. Check out some of the most high-profile results from European and world championships, which were also attended by the ambassadors of Slovenian tourism.
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.
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).
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 gold-medal winning national basketball team at the 2017 EuroBasket and a member of the NBA team Milwaukee Bucks.
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 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.
In the number of Olympic medals per capita, Slovenia belongs at the very top of the world. Slovenian athletes have won 19 gold, 26 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.
Slovenian athletes have brought home seven Olympic medals from Beijing.
The Tokyo Olympics brought a new haul of medals to Slovenia!
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 and Tina Trstenjak, cyclist Primož Roglič, sport climber Janja Garnbret, 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.
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
4th at World championship
2022
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.
MoreSlovenian 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.
MoreFans and top-level athletes inspire each other. Athletes make fans happy with their performances, dedication, sacrifice and achievements, and vice versa. The passion and energy brought by fans help athletes to make that extra effort needed in key moments to achieve top results. Join the "family" of passionate fans from Slovenia!
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.
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 Pogačar, 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 Pogačar, 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 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.
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Hiking in Slovenia rules! Find out why.
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In need of adrenaline-filled adventures? Choose your favourite!
Learn about the advantages of choosing Slovenia as your winter holiday destination.
Head to Slovenia for active winter experiences on snow and ice.
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