NEWS

Message by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, to the Slovenian athletes competing at the Paralympic Games

Dear Paralympic athletes,
 
The memory of the vintage medals won by Slovenian top athletes at the Olympic Games in London is still fresh. We enthusiastically supported them and rejoiced at their success. We will be no less impatient today when the Slovenian flag is flown again at the London stadium. We will greet all 22 Paralympic athletes competing in Slovenian colours in London with great pride.

  

This a great day for you, a day when all pain and sacrifice will be forgotten. A day that will reward your perseverance, patience and determination that has made you members of the Slovenian Paralympic team competing in Slovenian colours in a number of Olympic venues. Some you have already proved to be up to the fierce international competition and your ability to win the best medals at the Paralympic games in the past. I am convinced that it will also be the case this time and that you will achieve your goals and fulfil your hidden expectations and wishes in the city in which the Paralympic movement originated.

   

All of you who will be competing in London these days prove that victory belongs only to the daring and the contending. Those who persist and never give up and who have faith in their own abilities. These are the beliefs that are needed by us all, including as a nation, in these times of uncertainty. And you will be reminding of us of it daily with your achievements in Paralympics.

  

An old Chinese saying goes: "A mountain can only be moved by those who first moved small stones". I firmly believe that enough small stones have been moved by the efforts and valour of every one of you sp that you will now be able to move a mountain as well. We will be following your achievements with great expectations and rejoice whenever the Slovenian national anthem is played in the sports halls of London, crowning your success.
 
I wish you courage, good luck and victory.