Slovenia at the 2018 Winter Paralympics

Athlete profile

The lone Slovenian athlete was 16-year-old Jernej Slivnik, a young para-alpine skier named to the team in late 2017. He was coached by Roman Podlipnik and prepared to compete among international peers. His selection underscored Slovenia's focus on developing youth talent in Paralympic winter sport and provided a platform for experience at a major global event.

Qualification and preparation

Slivnik suffered an injury in the months before the Paralympics, creating uncertainty about his availability. After a period of rehabilitation and meeting the necessary performance standards, he was cleared to compete when he satisfied the qualification criteria in January 2018. His recovery and late confirmation exemplify the challenges athletes face balancing injury management with the strict eligibility rules of major championships.

Sporting context and events

Para-alpine skiing at the Winter Paralympics includes disciplines such as slalom, giant slalom, super-G and downhill, with athletes classified according to the nature of their impairment. Delegations, especially from smaller countries like Slovenia, often field very small teams. A single athlete competing can still take part in multiple alpine events and gain valuable competitive exposure.

Significance and legacy

Sending a young athlete to the Paralympic Games carries symbolic and practical importance: it raises the profile of adaptive winter sport at home, inspires other athletes with disabilities, and helps national federations learn how to support high-performance para-athletes. Slovenia's participation in Pyeongchang was reported in national coverage and contributes to ongoing efforts to expand Paralympic opportunities.

• Country: Slovenia
• Games: 2018 Winter Paralympics
• Location: Pyeongchang, South Korea
• Athlete: Jernej Slivnik (para-alpine skiing) profile link
• Coach: Roman Podlipnik