Date: 6. February 2026
Time to read: 2 min
Slovenia boasts outstanding athletes, among whom Tina Maze and Primož Roglič stand out. With their dedication, work ethic and exceptional achievements, both have become icons of Slovenian sport and ambassadors of the country on the world stage.
They will also play a special role at the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy. Tina Maze will serve as the ambassador of the Slovenia House in Cortina, while Primož Roglič will be the ambassador of the Slovenian Olympic team at the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Ambassador of the Slovenia House
Tina Maze was born on 2 May 1983 in Slovenj Gradec and is one of the most successful Slovenian alpine skiers of all time. Her career is marked by a number of outstanding achievements, including two Olympic gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, a total of four Olympic medals, 26 World Cup victories and the overall World Cup title in the 2012/13 season, which remains a record for a Slovenian female skier.
With her charisma and sporting achievements, Maze has also become an ambassador of Slovenian sport.
Following the example set at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, she was selected as ambassador of the Slovenia House in Cortina, through which Slovenia presents itself to the world. In doing so, she has once again confirmed her influence on an international level and Slovenia's role as a sporting powerhouse.
Were it not for Janica Kostelić, Lindsey Vonn and her successor Mikaela Shiffrin, whom Maze had to contend with in the latter part of her career, her record would be considered the greatest achievement by any woman in this sport in the 21st century: two Olympic gold and two silver medals, four gold and five silver medals at World Championships, one of only seven women to have won in all five World Cup disciplines and one of only three to do so in the same season.
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Cortina d'Ampezzo has always been a special place for Tina Maze, one she enjoys returning to. This is one of the reasons why she is particularly pleased to be the ambassador of the Slovenia House and is looking forward to all the events associated with her role. Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
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Tina Maze will serve as ambassador of the Slovenia House in Cortina and will attend several events in person. Photo: UKOM
Ambassador of the Slovenian Olympic team
Primož Roglič was born on 29 October 1989 in Trbovlje. He began his sporting career as a ski jumper before successfully transitioning to cycling, where he became a multiple Grand Tour winner, including the Vuelta a España, and one of the best cyclists in the world.
As ambassador of the Slovenian Olympic team at the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Roglič will visit several competition venues, but will spend most of his time in Predazzo, where the ski jumping events will take place and where Slovenia has a strong chance to win medals, led by Nika and Domen Prevc.
In a symbolic way, Roglič is thus returning to his original sport. Before the start of the competitions, he wished the members of the Slovenian Olympic team every success.
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Primož Roglič will also be among the fans as a special guest at the opening of the Slovenia House in Cortina d'Ampezzo. He will then attend competitions in Tesero, where he will follow cross-country skiing events, and in Predazzo, where Slovenian ski jumpers will be competing. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool/STA
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Primož Roglič began his sporting career as a ski jumper, experiencing early success in his youth. He became the 2006 junior world team vice-champion in Kranj and, a year later, the junior world champion. He later had to give up his love of winter sports due to injury. In the same year, he won two victories in the Continental Cup, at home in Planica and in Westby, USA. He officially ended his career in ski jumping in 2012. Photo: wikipedia
Promoters of Slovenia and sport
Tina Maze and Primož Roglič share not only a love of sport, but also the ability to use their sporting careers to promote Slovenia to the world in an exceptional way.
Both are role models for younger generations aspiring to succeed in international sport, regardless of where they come from.
Their stories are not just about medals and titles, but about overcoming obstacles, perseverance and the broader impact that sport has on society. Tina Maze and Primož Roglič remain symbols of the Slovenian sporting spirit and ambassadors who connect Slovenia with the global sporting community.
