July 28 2024 at 13:30

Gender Equality in Sport

Gender equality is fundamental to the development and success of the Olympic Movement, ensuring that all athletes have an equal chance to succeed, contributing to broader representation, and promoting fairness and equality in sport and wider society. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the number of female athletes in Paris will be equal to the number of male athletes. The Slovenian national team will also have the highest proportion of women ever - 49%. 

Promoting gender equality in sport helps to eliminate gender biases and discrimination, which is consistent with the Olympic values of respect and friendship. Gender equality increases diversity at the Games, which enriches the Olympic experience and increases audience interest.

The guests of the round table on gender equality are:

• Ms. Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia,
• Ms. Annamarie Phelps, President EOC Commission for Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion,
• Ms. Barbara Žibret Kralj, Country Managing Partner Deloitte Slovenia,
• HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, IOC Member and Vice President of the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission of the IOC,
• Mr. Gustavo Merino, Director for Social Policies at UNESCO.

The discussion will be moderated by Ms. Marta Kos, President of the Association for Networking of Women Professionals and Promotion of Knowledge ONA VE/SHE KNOWS.

2 August 2024 at 11:00

Sustainability in Sports

OKS, The Olympic Committee of Slovenia is one of the National Olympic Committees that already has a Sustainability Strategy, an Action Plan and, from 2023, a Commission for Sustainability in Sport. This is to show that we understand the times we live in and are aware of the importance and power of sport.

We are particularly pleased that the President of the OKS - ZŠZ Mr. Franjo Bobinac will be signing the IOC's Sports for Climate Action Framework commitment at this event, which commits the Slovenian Olympic Committee to the principles of sustainable development advocated by the IOC.

The guiding principle of the OKS - ZŠZ is: sustainability is perseverance, and the method is: sport is not words, sport is actions. So we already have a Sustainability Commitment signed by sponsors, we have developed a proposal for promotional materials and gift packs for sports competitions, the Commission is currently working on efficient waste management at sports events, on the organisation of mobility for training and competition participation, and on proposals for the construction of a sports infrastructure based on the principles of the new European Bauhaus. We see the Green Transition as an opportunity to do a really great thing together, and de Coubertin's motto seems like an invitation: It is important to work together. This is how we all win.

The keynote speech will be given by Mr. Janez Potočnik, Co-chair of UNEP's International Resource Panel (IRP) and former EU Commissioner for Science&Research (2004-2009) and Environment (2009-2014).

The guest at the discussion on sustainability in sports are:

• Ms. Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, former President of the Republic of Croatia, member of the Executive Council of the International Olympic Committee,
• Ms. Julie Duffus, Sustainability Senior Advisor to the Olympic Movement at the International Olympic Committee,
• Mr. Tom Fux, Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe.



The panel will be moderated by Ms. Alja Brglez, Chairperson of the Commission for Sustainability in Sport at the OKS - ZŠZ.

5 August 2024 at 13:00 - rescheduled due to the volleyball match

Top Athletes and Their Second Careers

Athletes' second careers are crucial for their personal and financial stability and mental health. By making the most of their sporting experience and with the help of support programmes, they can successfully bridge the transition from sport to a new career. Their successes not only reflect their hard work, sacrifice, discipline and resilience, but also their ability to use the qualities of successful sportspeople to influence society in new and different ways. The transition from a world-class sporting career to a new career is full of challenges but also opportunities for athletes.

More and more athletes can count on support as they transition to a new life. Organisations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the National Olympic Committees, including the OKS - ZSZ, the Slovenian Olympic Committee - Association of Sports Federations, and various sports federations offer career counselling and workshops for athletes. These programmes help athletes to find new career paths and develop new competences.

The following guests will take part in a discussion on second careers:

• Ms. Tina Maze, a former skier and Slovenia's all-time best female athlete,
• Goran Dragič, one of the best Slovenian basketball players,
• Ms. Urška Žolnir Jugovar, one of Slovenia's most successful female judo athletes and Sport Director at the European Judo Union, EJU.
• Igor Vushurovic, former volleyball player and Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Montenegro.

The discussion will be moderated by Mr. Andraž Vehovar, former Slovenian top athlete with a successful second career in business