Croatian Olympians, led by silver-winning water polo team, welcomed back home

The last group of Croatian athletes who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, led by the silver-winning national water polo team and the bronze-winning taekwondoin Lena Stojković, returned from Paris to Zagreb on Monday, where a welcome ceremony was held for them at Zagreb Airport.

In cooperation with the government, the city authorities organised the ceremony at the airport in line with the athletes' wishes as members of the national water polo team were to continue their journey to their home towns on the same day.

Hrvoje Balen of the Croatian Olympic Committee congratulated the medal-winning athletes as well as all Croatian athletes who took part in the Olympics, awarding them with commemorative gold coins.

"Special congratulations to Lena Stojković, who after winning medals at world and European championships, completed a four-year cycle with an Olympic medal, and to the water polo team, who won three medals in one year, which is a remarkable feat," said Balen.

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević congratulated the athletes as well, noting that those who did not win any medals deserved congratulations as well because getting to compete in the Olympics itself was a big success.

Josip Pavić, State Secretary at the Tourism and Sports Ministry who won a gold medal at the London Olympics as a member of the national water polo team, said that Croatian athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics "have made Croatia proud."

Attending the welcome ceremony for the Croatian Olympians was also War Veterans Minister Tomo Medved as well as presidential and parliamentary envoys.

Croatian athletes won seven medals at the 33rd Summer Olympic Games - two golds, two silvers and three bronze medals.

(Hina/FaH)

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