We've got this! Paris, here we come!

What the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Robert Golob, director of the Government Communication Office Petra Bezjak Cirman, Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaž Han, the president of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia Franjo Bobinac and Damijan Lazar, president of the Disabled Sports Federation of Slovenia - Slovenian Paralympic Committee said before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Slovenia - the country of sport, Slovenians - great sports enthusiasts

To an outsider, it might seem almost unbelievable that our nation of two million people has such remarkable sporting success. However, we are convinced that this is no coincidence. We Slovenians have sport written in our DNA, we cannot imagine our daily lives without exercise.

It is no surprise, then, that we are the second-ranked country in the world in terms of Olympic medals won per capita.

This is in addition to the numerous medals we have won in other major competitions. Yet, we must recognize that just taking part in such competitions is a great success.

Slovenia is also a great promoter of healthy lifestyles, of which physical activity is a fundamental element. I am grateful to all our sportsmen and sportswomen, both recreational and professional, who persistently encourage and motivate us. They are our role models and inspire us to engage in regular physical activity.

Sporting success is no accident. As a former athlete and kayaker, I know how much sacrifice, perseverance, and dedication it takes to succeed. For athletes, participation in the Olympic Games represents the pinnacle of their sporting career. For fans and sports enthusiasts, it brings joy, excitement, and pride to watch them perform.

That is why I am extremely proud of all our athletes who will represent the colours of our country in Paris. I wish them to enjoy every moment of the Games!

I cordially invite you to the Slovenia House, which will be the meeting point for all those who love Slovenia and those who are yet to discover it during the Games in Paris.

Dr. Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia

A small Slovenia in the middle of Paris

Returning to Europe after 12 years, the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will not just be a sporting spectacle, but a diverse international event. 10,500 athletes will take part, giving them the chance to realise their sporting goals in life, while countries will also be looking for business opportunities.

During the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the aim of the Slovenian House is to showcase Slovenia's country, economy, tourism, agriculture, cuisine, culture, science ... all things related to sport, partners and fans from all over the world.

We want to present Slovenia as a sports and tourism destination, highlighting values such as promoting outdoor activities, healthy lifestyles at all ages, and as a sustainable destination for sports experiences, events and preparations. As part of the integrated communication, special attention will be paid to the national brand I feel Slovenia.

That is why, in addition to sporting events, we invite you to visit the Slovenian House in the heart of Paris, in La Villette Park - a little Slovenia in the middle of Paris - during the Olympic Games in Paris.

It will showcase Slovenia's sport, heart, creativity, rich cultural heritage, dynamic economy and charming tourist pulse, and will bring together everyone who is interested in Slovenia. It will serve as a home away from home for athletes, fans and visitors. Inside, it will tell the story of Slovenia.

With the traditionally outstanding sporting results of our athletes, we will stand alongside the most developed countries. We want to attract many athletes, businessmen, politicians, media representatives and other guests to the Slovenian House. In this way, the Slovenian House will be much more than just a place to celebrate the top results and awards won by our sportsmen and sportswomen, it will also be an exceptional opportunity to meet and present Slovenia in all its dimensions.

Good luck, sportsmen and sportswomen!

Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communications Office

We all breathe for the colours of our flag

I am particularly looking forward to the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, as this will be my first visit to the Olympic Games as Minister responsible for Sport. Together, we will cheer loudly for our national team. Just to be at the Olympics is a great achievement. As a loyal fan, I am very proud of the fact that Slovenia is among the world leaders in terms of the number of Olympic medals won per capita. That is why it is particularly important that sport is accessible to all, and that young talent in particular should have the opportunity to become even better, to be the best. 

At the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, with the highest budget ever, we are giving at least a little back to sport, which is what we have been doing all these years. When we all breathe the colours of our flag, we are always overwhelmed by a unifying optimism, a feeling of great belonging and commitment to the community.

Our Ministry has earmarked two million euros for the Slovenian House, which will bring fans together in the middle of Paris and, together with the athletes, spread the word about Slovenia as a green, prosperous, safe, boutique gastronomic region with a reliable business environment. But I believe that only together will we breathe real character into the Summer Olympics. We will be proud of Slovenia's sportsmen and women, who will surely reach for the stars in Paris in the company of the very best.

Matjaž Han, Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sport

Olympic values of excellence, friendship, respect, fairness and effort

The Olympic Games are not only the most prestigious sporting spectacle, featuring the world's top sportsmen and women. They are also a great opportunity to showcase the best of our sporting, economic, tourism, culinary and cultural heritage. What is perhaps overlooked or somewhat lost is the representation of Olympic values - excellence, friendship, respect, fairness and effort.

This year's Olympic Games will be a turning point for us. It is 100 years since Leon Štukelj won the first Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympics, thus becoming the first Olympic champion born in Slovenia.

This milestone, 100 years since the first Slovenian Olympic medal, is an additional motivation for us to achieve new records, successes and to write Slovenian Olympic stories. So expectations are high at this year's Games, but I am confident that our sportsmen and sportswomen are highly prepared and motivated to reach for the Olympic dream. They will compete in Paris, the three-time Olympic venue where Leon Štukelj wrote the first chapter of Slovenian Olympic history.

Given the socio-political situation around the world, the daily news about what is happening in Palestine and Ukraine, it is even more important that this year's Games represent our desire for world peace and the realisation of Olympic values. Sport brings us together, and values - not in sport, but in everyday life - must be shared by all of us.

Franjo Bobinac, OKS President

Paralympic Games are the biggest global celebration of Para sport

After 12 years, the Paralympic Games return to Europe. After 12 years, one of Slovenia's teams is returning to the Paralympic Games: the sitting volleyball players, who will further strengthen our expedition and give momentum to the Paralympic movement in Slovenia.

There are enough reasons for the Slovenian public to strongly support our parapalympic athletes too, because their efforts and their efforts are no less than those of non-disabled athletes.

I am sure that all of our paraplegics will show themselves in the best possible light and confirm once again that they are outstanding ambassadors for Slovenia with their achievements.

 Damijan Lazar, President of the Disabled Sports Federation of Slovenia - Slovenian Paralympic Committee