"This kind of reception really means a lot to me. Even though there is no medal, it is a message that you are with us through thick and thin and for that I am very grateful. I fought hard, maybe even overdid it, and unfortunately I made a mistake that cost me a better place," Benjamin Savšek told the Slovenian House. He added that the atmosphere created by the Slovenian fans was also incredible.

This is Benjamin's fourth Olympic Games, his first being London 2021, where he gained much-needed experience of competing in big events as a young athlete. His Olympic career was crowned in Tokyo, where his Olympic title triggered a wave of Slovenian Olympic medals. "The medal in Tokyo is the realisation of a dream I have always had. It has been a tough journey. After the Rio Games, I put everything I had into coming back from Tokyo with a medal," said Beni, thanking everyone for their tremendous support.

"Where there's a will, there's a way. Perseverance is important and that's how dreams become reality," concluded Beni.

He also signed the Wall of Fame at the Slovenian House and received a silver medal with Leon Štukelj's likeness.

More photos at Gallery.