Date: 3. February 2026
Time to read: 2 min
The excitement is building and the countdown has begun. The Winter Olympic Games are just around the corner and with them comes the chance to cheer on the world's best athletes. Slovenia will be represented by 37 outstanding athletes competing in six disciplines, showing the world yet again that Slovenia is a true sporting nation.
For the first time in Slovenia's history, a brother and sister will carry the Slovenian flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Nika Prevc and Domen Prevc, the leading ski jumpers in this season's World Cup, will carry the flag at the ceremony in Predazzo, where the ski jumping events will take place.
However, athletes will not be the only ambassadors for Slovenia at the world's largest winter sports event. Slovenia's culture, tourism, gastronomy and economy will also be presented to the world through a diverse programme at the Slovenia House in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Open to all visitors, Slovenia House will not only be a place for socializing and cheering, but will also represent Slovenia under the unified I feel Slovenia brand.
Primož Roglič and Tina Maze at the opening of the Slovenia House in Cortina
The Slovenia House will ensure an unforgettable start to the opening, as it will host two outstanding Slovenian champions and Olympic gold medallists who continue to inspire generations worldwide – Tina Maze and Primož Roglič.
Former ski jumper and cycling champion Primož Roglič will appear as a special guest at the grand opening of the Slovenia House on 8 February. His sporting career is one of the most inspiring stories in both Slovenian and international sport – from ski jumper to the best cyclist in the world.
He was the first Slovenian to win a stage and the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, claim victory at the prestigious Giro d'Italia, win the Vuelta a España four times and become an Olympic champion in the time trial at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games.
The ambassador of the Slovenia House is Tina Maze, who has won four Olympic medals (two gold and two silver) during her sporting career, as well as nine World Championship medals (four gold and five silver) and 26 World Cup victories.
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Today, Primož Roglič is regarded as one of the greatest legends of Slovenian sport. Photo: Anže Malovrh/STA
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Tina Maze is the most successful Slovenian winter athlete of all time. Photo: Stanko Gruden
A piece of Slovenia at the heart of Olympic action
During the Olympic Games, the Slovenia House will be a vibrant venue featuring a variety of events. It will be open daily from 9am to midnight and will be located at the Janbo bar, one of the most popular social venues in Cortina d'Ampezzo, just 100 metres from the main Olympic venue.
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The Slovenia House will function as a kind of Slovenian embassy during the Games. Graphic: Olympic Committee of Slovenia
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Throughout the programme, Slovenia House will serve as an open, dynamic and distinctive hub where, in the true Olympic spirit, Slovenia’s sporting excellence, business opportunities, cultural creativity and tourism appeal come together. Graphic: Olympic Committee of Slovenia
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The Olympic Games are much more than a sporting spectacle — they offer a unique opportunity to build international partnerships and showcase Slovenia in a holistic way. Photo: Jernej Šmajdek/STA
The fact that Slovenia's participation in the Olympic Games goes beyond sport was also emphasised by the Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, Matjaž Han,
"Our athletes, through their dedication, courage and perseverance, continually demonstrate what it means to represent Slovenia with pride. We will consider them winners from the moment they arrive at the Winter Olympic Games. The Slovenia House in Cortina d'Ampezzo will be an important symbol of our unity and a space that connects sport, business, tourism and culture, in which we can come together, cheer as one and show the world who we are. I invite all fans to join us and help create an unforgettable Slovenian story."
Minister Han will also attend the official opening of the Slovenia House on 8 February.
The Slovenia House programme will bring together business, culture, tourism and gastronomy. At the Slovenia House, the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport will organise an event entitled Olympic Bridges: Connecting business and sport in cross-border communities, which will open discussions on new business opportunities and the role of sport as a unifying force. The event will also include a meeting of the cross-border business coordination group.
The cultural dimension of Slovenia's presence will be highlighted on the Slovenian cultural holiday, when the Slovenia House will host a concert by the band Pantaloons.
Slovenian Day, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, will showcase Slovenia as a boutique gastronomic and wine destination.
The Slovenia House will also serve as an important hub for tourism and business networking. In cooperation with the Slovenian Tourist Board, the business event, Workshop Slovenia, will bring together Slovenian tourism providers and Italian tour operators. The event will be complemented by an outstanding culinary presentation led by renowned chef Tomaž Kavčič.
The economic dimension of Slovenia's Olympic presence will be further strengthened by a two-day business delegation organised by SPIRIT Slovenia. The delegation will enable Slovenian companies to establish direct contacts with the Italian market, build new partnerships and present the Slovenian business landscape.
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Slovenia will present itself under the national brand ‘I feel Slovenia’, with the goal of enhancing its reputation and visibility as a green, active and innovative country. Graphic: Olympic Committee of Slovenia
Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) and Head of the Working Group coordinating the Slovenia House project at the Olympic Games in Cortina, highlighted the aim of creating a space that connects sporting narratives with business opportunities while also presenting Slovenia's cultural identity in a comprehensive way under the I feel Slovenia brand.
"We expect concrete results: increased media exposure, stronger business ties, the promotion of tourism and sustainable practices, and the further consolidation of Slovenia's image as an innovative, green and well-connected country. To ensure the Slovenia House serves all parties effectively, its operation will be based on coordinated cooperation between UKOM, the Olympic Committee of Slovenia and partners from the business sector. Previous experience from past projects shows that such investments strengthen a country's reputation in the long term, boost tourism, attract foreign investment and open up new opportunities for economic cooperation," said Petra Bezjak Cirman.
The Slovenia House project at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games is being supported by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. The implementation is being led by the Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations, in cooperation with partners including the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, the SPIRIT Slovenia and the Slovenian Tourist Board public agencies, the Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in Trieste and the Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.
The Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport has allocated €900,000 for the preparation and qualification of Slovenian athletes, and an additional €1 million for the implementation of the Slovenia House in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
