Zagreb, September 22, 2023 - The Croatian Olympic Committee began 2023 with only one Olympic qualification, that of marathoner Bojana Bjeljac. In the beginning of the year, the athlete from Dinamo-Zrinjevac was alone on the list of athletes qualified for Paris. In spring, she was joined by another marathon runner - Matea Parlov Koštro, so that the Croatian Olympic Committee would in mid 2023 be faced with a rare situation in the world of sport – have only two confirmed Olympic athletes for the upcoming Games, from the same sport and the same discipline.
At the European Games in Krakow, where most of the Olympic sports represented Olympic qualifications, only the silver boxer Gabrijel Veočić qualified for the Olympic Games. However, Croatian sports stars have shown that even summer can be used for reaping, but it is always more fruitful as autumn approaches. The Croatian shot put record holder Filip Mihaljević, in mid-July strengthened athletics on the list of qualified athletes. At the meeting of the Diamond League in Chorzow (Poland) at the same runway at which three weeks earlier his throw was worthy of a silver medal at the European Games, Mihaljević threw the shot to the limit of his best result of the season (21.63 m) and - the Olympic quota.
And then in the middle of August, there was a sailing wave of qualifications at the World Championship in the Hague. Reaping started by the experienced Olympians Šime and Mihovil Fantela in the 49er class, followed by debutants - Palma Čargo in windsurfing and Martin Dolenc in kitesurfing. In addition to the three mentioned, the Olympic norm is also ensured in the single class ILCA 7 (former Laser), and owing to it, the two-time silver Olympian Tonči Stipanović could start pursuing his third Olympic medal... Or Filip Jurišić his first!? We will find out after the criterium regattas in January or April next year.
It seemed that the August "harvest" was completed by two gold Olympians from London in 2012. The best Croatian athlete Sandra Perković did not manage to get on the podium at the World Championships in Budapest. She was fifth in discus throw, but already in the qualifications she made a shot worthy of the Olympic norm for Paris (65.62 m). By winning the title of world champion in trap at the World Championship in Baku, a 40-year-old Croatian shooter Giovanni Cernogoraz qualified for Paris. In addition to the Olympic gold from London, this is his biggest achievement in his successful career.
At the beginning of September, kayaker Anamarija Govorčinović, who was 10th overall in the 500-meter single-seater kayak discipline at the World Championship in Germany, found out about the accomplished August norm. Thus, seven out of the current 11 Croatian quotas were filled in during August.
At the World Rowing Championship in Belgrade (Serbia), Croatian rowers filled in 3 Olympic quotas for Paris. The third participation at the Olympic Games was ensured by Valent and Martin Sinković who will compete in Paris again in men's double sculls after Tokyo where they won gold in men’s double.
Croatia will have a representative in men's double next year, too. Lončarić brothers, Anton and Patrik, are Olympic debutants in Paris 2024. Damir Martin also ensured his third participation at the Olympic Games. After having won a bronze medal in Tokyo, he will compete in men's single sculls again and try to win his fourth Olympic medal.
Matija Mlinarić won the World Championship in Lee Valley (United Kingdom) and placed 17th in the semi-final and therefore qualified for his second Olympic Games in canoe slalom (C-1).
Croatia currently has 18 athletes qualified for the Olympic Games (15 quotas) - from athletics (4), boxing (1), sailing (5), kayaking and canoeing (2), shooting (1) and rowing (5).
