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Stories from Slovenia

Slovenia has a sporting heart!

Sport has a special place in Slovenia. A series of top athletes have been inspiring Slovenians to spend their free time actively.

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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Luka Dončić

The young basketball virtuoso, who is breaking records in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and winning the hearts of basketball fans around the world.

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Goran Dragić

Captain of the golden Slovenian basketball team at EuroBasket 2017 and the first Slovenian to play in the All-Star Game in the NBA league. 

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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.

Jan Oblak

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

Tim Gajser

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

Medals won at the Paris 2024 Games 🥇🇸🇮

The largest team to date represented Slovenia at the Summer Olympics, which took place in Paris from 26 July to 11 August. The result? Outstanding sporting competitions, Olympic surprises, numerous excellent placings and three Olympic medals – two gold medals for Slovenia with top performances by judoka Andreja Leški and sport climber Janja Garnbret, along a silver medal for Toni Vodišek in formula kite.

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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.

A look back in time: Beijing and Tokyo Olympics

Look back to 2021 and check which Slovenian athletes won Olympic medals in Tokyo. Just to tide us over until the games begin, let us recall together the Olympic medals won by Slovenian athletes at the Winter Games in Beijing.

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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.

Basketball

European champions
2017

4th at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
2021

Volleyball

3 x European champion runners-up
2021, 2019, 2015

4th at World championship
2022

Qualification for the Olympics
2024

4th place in the Nations League
2024

Gold in the European League
2015

2 x bronze in the European League
2014, 2011

Handball

European champion runners-up
Slovenia 2004

Bronze at the World Championship in France
2017

4th at the Summer Olympics in Paris
2024

4 x qualification for the Summer Olympics
2024, 2016, 2004, 2000

1x qualification of the women’s national team for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games
2024

Ice hockey

2 x qualification for the Winter Olympics
2018, 2014

Football

2 x qualifications for the World Cup
2010, 2002

2 x qualification for the European Championship
2024 (round of 16), 2000

What is the secret of Slovenian sporting achievements?

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.

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There is no sport without passionate fans!

Fans 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!

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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. 

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.

Laura Unuk

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

The land where champions are born

Slovenia is not only home to top athletes, but also an excellent destination for the organisation of sports competitions, conferences and preparations for athletes from various disciplines. Well-organized and accessible sports and other infrastructure, proximity to rehabilitation centres, organisational support and many other reasons speak in favour of Slovenia as a sporting destination.

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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.

Around Slovenia like Pogačar and Roglič

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.

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Tips for an active holiday in the style of sports stars

What’s the common denominator between Janja Garnbret, Luka Dončić, Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar? They are all top athletes who are also the ambassadors of Slovenian tourism. Learn about active and relaxing Slovenia through the inspiring stories of top Slovenian sportspeople and follow their tips about what is particularly worth experiencing. 

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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.

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