Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič, Luka Dončić and many other Slovenian names in the world of sports fill the headlines of the world media. With the incredible achievements of Slovenian athletes, some people even think that they come from another planet. No, they come from Slovenia, a small green country in Central Europe, which has a big sporting heart.
Many people wonder how a nation of 2 million people can be so successful and versatile in sports. The reasons for this could be discussed for hours and hours. Former sports journalist Igor E. Bergant listed some of the most noteworthy reasons for Slovenia’s success in his article, which we have summarised to bring you a touch of the Olympic spirit before the games in Beijing.
It would be hard to find a country that combines such different types of landscapes in such a small area. In Slovenia, the Alpine, Mediterranean, Karst and Pannonian worlds meet. Distances between areas are relatively short – from the centre of Slovenia you can be in different parts of the country in less than two hours, while in one day you can be in the Alps and at sea. Nature is also close to you in the cities – just a few steps from urban centres. All these natural resources provide excellent training grounds for various activities
Alpine Slovenia, at the heart of the mountains, along lakes and rivers. Visit Triglav National Park, Bled, Bohinj, Kranjska Gora and the Soča Valley.
Enjoy the warmth of the seaside sun caressing your skin or descend to the mysterious world of underground caves.
Pannonian Slovenia – a place to relax in natural spas, try prekmurska gibanica and meet the storks.
Liveliness of the capital and nature hikes – to primeval forests.
Slovenia mostly has a well-organised sports infrastructure. School gyms are often open to athletes and recreationists. Although sports activities are not free, they are often supported and subsidised by local communities and sponsors. In many clubs, work is based on volunteering. Parents also play an important role, especially for younger athletes.
For Slovenians, sport is, so to speak, written in our genes. At the time of the strengthening of the Slovenian national consciousness in the middle of the 19th century, gymnastics also played an important role. At the beginning of the 20th century, gymnastic societies operated in the Slovenian territory, primarily the Sokol and Orel movements. Gymnastics was once one of the most successful Slovenian sports at the Olympic Games, mainly thanks to the legendary Leon Štukelj and Miro Cerar. Today, other sports are also coming to the forefront. The Slovenian list of medals and outstanding achievements and sports disciplines, where they are achieved,becomes longer from year to year.
Slovenia is truly a phenomenon on a global scale when talking about the top achievements of Slovenian athletes. The list of names who have achieved success after success in their sport disciplines in the past is vast. But Slovenian athletes do not stop at just winning medals – they are increasingly drawing attention to themselves with record achievements. Meet some of the most famous current names of Slovenian sports, who have won the hearts of sports fans around the world.
Slovenians like to be active. More than two thirds of the population participate in recreational sports. The most popular activities in Slovenia are hiking, cycling, running and skiing in the winter. We have about 7,000 categorised athletes. Since last year, Slovenia has also had its own national holiday dedicated to sport.
Hiking in Slovenia rules! Find out why.
Discover why it is worth choosing Slovenia for your cycling holiday.
Get to know Slovenia from a runner's point of view!
Enjoy skiing on well-maintained Slovenian ski slopes.
Although few Slovenian athletes can boast of high earnings from sports, the motivation for taking part in sports is high. We are inspired by nature itself, which welcomes outdoor activities with its beauty. Sports success motivates young people to try various sports, while support from parents is also important. It also promotes sports participation as one of the factors for good health at the national and local levels through various projects.
Work with young people is strong in many sports and the basis they get is a good springboard for a breakthrough abroad. For example, we have many top Slovenian athletes in the best European, American and other strong leagues and clubs.
Meet Tadej Pogačar, a young Slovenian cyclists, who has won Tour de France two times in a row.
Discover the cycling routes of Slovenia, the homeland of Primož Roglič, a top cyclist who became the Olympic champion at the Tokyo Olympics.
Young basketball star Luka Dončić, wearing the jersey of the Dallas Mavericks, has impressed the basketball world and the NBA.
Get to know the sport journey and the homeland of Goran Dragić – the Slovenian "dragon" in the Milwaukee Bucks jersey in the NBA.
Slovenians are known as a diligent nation and are eager to prove themselves. We may lack slightly in terms of self-confidence, but we compensate for this with perseverance, fighting spirit and heartiness. Because resources, including human resources, are limited, athletes are given a second, third, and fourth chance, which does not happen often in countries with a larger "pool" of competitors. The most successful Slovenian national teams are based on players who have known each other for years, are friends and are at the same time properly directed. Teams often win on the wings of interconnectedness and heartiness, to which even the biggest stars know how to submit.
Slovenia is a popular destination for sports preparations and has repeatedly proven to be a good organiser of competitions at the highest level. Specialised sports centres are connected with tourist destinations, such as Slovenian natural health resorts. The health resorts have their own specialised medical centres that also include programmes for athletes.
Modern summer and winter outdoor sports centres are complemented by stadiums, competition tracks, equipment and accompanying indoor facilities designed for the needs of individual sports disciplines. Athletes are guaranteed privacy during preparations and competitions, while Slovenia is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world.
Good conditions for sports preparations and competitions at the highest levels are inter alia provided by seven Olympic sports centres, which are complemented by national discipline centres and sports centres at the regional and local levels.
To find out more about the reasons for Slovenian success in competitive sports in general, read the article written by Igor E. Bergant.
Welcome to the land of exceptional sports culture. Get to know the possibilities of why Slovenia is an excellent sports choice for the successful implementation of sports preparations and the organization of recreational and top sports competitions.
Feel the sports heat that is flooding Slovenia and choose your favourite activity in nature.
Slovenia is a hiking paradise. More than 10,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails.
Explore Slovenia by bike. The dynamic landscapes of Slovenia, with their countless natural beauties, are ideal for a biking holiday.
In need of adrenaline-filled adventures? Choose your favourite!
Vacation by rivers, lakes, in thermal spas or at the seaside.
Find climbing challenges and delight in the views on via ferratas, and in Slovenia’s many natural and artificial climbing areas.
Head to Slovenia for active winter experiences on snow and ice.
When picking outdoor activities, Slovenia, a country with four distinct seasons is always the right choice. Your favourite form of exercise might sometimes be linked with high mountains, at other times with the seaside, or perhaps with river valleys, or vine-growing hills. Explore the green playground of Europe. Choose your activities for health and wellbeing.
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