Way to Go, Janica!

Janica Kostelic Wins Four Medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics

“It was my gift to Croatia for Valentine’s,” said

Janica Kostelic after she had won the her first gold

at the Salt Lake Winter Olympics

Salt Lake City, February 25, 2002

The 2002 Winter Olympics will surely remember Croatia. Indeed, at the closing of the Games, President of the Olympic Organizational Board Mitt Roamney, in underlining the importance of the Olympic spirit, mentioned only two names – that of the American athlete Jim Shea, a third-generation Olympian, and Janica Kostelic, Croatian alpine skier and winner of four medals. “They showed us how to live,” said Mr. Roamney, referring to the two athletes’ overwhelmingly present Olympic spirit.

20-year-old 2001 overall World Cup champion Janica Kostelic won her first Olympic gold in women’s combined run in Snowbasin. The next three medals – two gold and one silver – followed in a row: gold medal for slalom, silver for super-g, gold for giant slalom.

She is just Janica to everybody in Croatia, but the world media often refer to her as the “Croatian sensation”, not only because of the three medals in two weeks, but also because of the serious knee surgery she underwent last year and the sensational fast and full recovery followed by a series of victories and the title of the World Champion. “I cannot believe it…When I finished the run, I couldn’t even look at the results,” said the excited winner to a Croatian daily newspaper after her successful first run.

All Janica's Olympic victories

Photo: courtesy iskon

Since the international recognition, Croatia participated in three other Winter Olympics – Albertville in 1992, Lillehammer in 1994 and Nagano 1998, and this year Janica brought the first Winter Olympics gold for Croatia, which she multiplied by three by the end of the Games. Besides Janica and her brother, alpine skier Ivica Kostelic, who were among the favorites in the Croatian national team to win gold medal, there were twelve other athletes competing in five disciplines.

Numerous government officials, and members of the Croatian Olympic Committee congratulated Janica on her success “Thank you Janica! You reminded us that dreams can come true and that after hard work, persistence and sacrifice comes success,” said Prime Minister Ivica Racan in his letter of congratulations to Janica Kostelic. Other letters of congratulations included the President, Minister of Sports, Embassy of the U.S. in Zagreb, and other high government officials.

Croatian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Ivan Grdesic sent his letter of congratulations for Janica’s success as well, and was present in Salt Lake personally to show his support to Janica. While handing Janica a present – photographs given to him by the USA Today reporters, Ambassador Grdesic said “Congratulations Janica not only for being the world’s best skier, but also for being Croatia’s ambassador of sports.”

A Wonderful Welcome for Croatia’s Snow Queen

200.000 people gathered at Zagreb's main square

Zagreb, February 25, 2002 - Approximately 200.000 people gathered at the Zagreb’s main square on Monday, February 25, the day of the Croatian national team’s arrival from Salt Lake City.

Janica came at 1 pm local time to Zagreb’s main square in a carriage and found a magnificent atmosphere at the Croatia’s capital main square in her honor. By throwing Janica a grandiose welcome, Zagreb and Croatia demonstrated their appreciation for the quadruple Olympic winner 2001 and World Ski Champion.

Janica became Croatia’s hero, conquering the hearts of her fellow compatriots with her warm story of hard work and family dedication leading to the success of winning four medals and breaking the Olympic records.

CNN: Janica Kostelic – Queen of the Winter Olympics

TV Channel CNN proclaimed Croatian alpine skier Janica Kostelic queen and Norwegian biathlon athlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen king of the 2002 Winter Olympics in their commentary during the final ceremony of closing the Games.

The 2001 World Champion Janica won three gold and one silver Olympic medal and became the best alpine skier in the history of the Games, said CNN. The commentary was accompanied by a three-minute interview with the world’s best alpine skier.

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