Minister of the Interior Branko Zlobko and Director General of the Police Damjan PetriÄŤ held a reception for the top Slovenian athletes and coaches employed by the Police. They particularly thanked alpine skier Ilka Ĺ tuhec, who concluded her professional sports career this year. Ski jumping champions Nika and Domen Prevc were awarded the Silver Shield of the Police for outstanding achievements and their contribution to promotion of the Police.
The Ministry of the Interior and the Police have been supporting top athletes and coaches since 1993. We provide stable environment, systemic support and social security for the athletes and coaches, so they can fully immerse themselves in their work, training and competing in their respective sports. By employing top athletes and coaches, we are contributing to the expansion of sports culture and indirectly strengthening the positive image of the Slovenian police and Slovenia across the world.
As the Minister of the Interior Branko Zlobko said in his address at the annual event: "Top-level sports require extreme focus on the work, discipline, confidence, top athletes must be systematic, and persistent - as well as aggressive, in the best sense of the word. Athletes are under immense physical and mental strain. I am not referring only to training and competitions - there is also constant travel around the world, the need to adjust to time zones, as well as obligations to domestic and international media, sponsors, clubs, and federations. Top-level professional sport demands nothing more and nothing less than the whole person - body, mind, and heart. The Ministry of the Interior and the Police support you strongly in this endeavour and are happy to help."
"In sports and police work alike, there is a moment that the public often does not see. A moment of self-reflection, when one decides whether to give into fear or to believe in oneself and persevere. It is precisely such moments that shape not only the results, but also one’s character. Today, we are therefore not only paying tribute to your exceptional achievements, but above all to you as individuals. Through your journey, you demonstrate the importance of discipline, sacrifice, perseverance, and trust - in yourselves and your team. These are the values on which top sports as well as police work are built. Although it may not seem so at first glance, we actually share a lot in common. We are incredibly proud that you are part of our ranks and that you bring values and personal virtues to the police force that can serve as an example to society as a whole," said Director General of the Police Damjan Petrič, who congratulated the athletes on their achievements and thanked them for carrying the name of the Slovenian police with the same honour as they carry Slovenian coat of arms at the world’s biggest sports events.
Alpine skier Ilka Štuhec, a long-time Police employee, concluded her abundant and successful professional career this year. Over the course of 17 seasons, she won 11 golden medals (seven in downhill, three in super G and one in the combined), stood on the winners’ podium 22 times, won two downhill Crystal Globes and two downhill female world champion titles. The Minister expressed his special gratitude for her sporting achievements and wished her success in her future endeavours.
The Minister and the Director General of the Police presented a high award – the Silver Shield of Police for exceptional achievements and outstanding contribution to the promotion of the Police, which strengthened the positive image of the Slovenian police in the society. The recipients of the award were the champion ski jumpers Nika and Domen Prevc, who are employed as top athletes of the highest Olympic rang.
The annual reception was attended by 28 top athletes and coaches. The Top Athletes Centre of the Police currently employs 40 athletes and coaches, with 12 new top athletes currently in the process of recruitment.
We also had the honour of hosting two Slovenian sport legends – the gymnast Miroslav Cerar and alpine skier Bojan Križaj, who attended the reception.
Related content
Sport in the Police
Top Athletes Centre
