On Thursday, 23 November 2017, the Marjan Rožanc Awards, the highest recognitions of the City of Ljubljana in sports, were presented at the Ljubljana City Museum.

The award winners this year:

The award for outstanding achievements in the past year was presented to Benjamin Savšek

Benjamin Savšek has been proving for a decade that he is one of the best wild water canoeists in the world. As a member of the Kayak Canoe Club Tacen he won the 6th place at the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the following year he became the world champion at the world championships in Pau adding the most precious award to his set of world championships medals, namely, he won the bronze in 2013 and in the following years 2014 in 2015 silver medals.

With his attitude towards sports and his sportive lifestyle he is a true role model for younger competitors and can be looked up to. Benjamin’s technique is excellent and the global competition respects him for it. With his speed and rowing technique he is pushing the limits of what is possible and is setting a big challenge for his co-competitors.

The award for outstanding achievements in the past year was presented to Goran Dragić

The performance of Goran Dragić in the golden team at the European basketball championship 2017 was extraordinary. His performance within the team was textbook material – and not only for sports textbooks, Dragič’s methods belong into strategic leadership textbooks. In his heart he had the plan how to lead the team towards success, he took part in the selection of the team of experts and players, divided roles within the group, mentored his juniors, assumed responsibility, supported co-players, stepped into the forefront and in the right moment far into the background blending into the group, the team.

A combination of greatness and modesty. Goran Dragić simply attained the national hero status, literally. Is there anything better then bringing joy to the whole nation; uniting the whole nation and becoming one in thoughts, aspirations and immense happiness. The day when we were all winners.

The award for long-term work in the professional and organisational filed was presented to Matjaž Jemec

Matjaž Jemec joined the Swimming Club Ljubljana as a parent through volunteer work and in 1987 became the club president. In that period the club reached the highest level of international success, both in youth and senior categories. The swimmers reached the very top during his period of service. Between 1990 and 1997 he was the president of the Slovenian Swimming Federation. In 1992 Slovenian swimming became part of LEN and FINA, and during that time the first medal under the Slovenian flag was won. Since the establishment of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia Matjaž Jemec regularly participated in its activities and individual OCS projects. He was the vice president of OCS, the president of the Committee for top sports in the 1998-2002 and 2002-2006 mandates. As team leader he participated in many Mediterranean games, namely, in Bari in 1997, Tunis in 2001, Almeria in 2005 and Pescara in 2009. He was also team leader at European Youth Olympic Festivals in 1993 in Valkensvaard, 1995 in Bath and in 1999 in Esbjerg.

With many years working in sports Matjaž Jemec significantly contributed to the development of sports, promoting Olympic spirt and Olympic values. By setting an example he helped the Slovenian Swimming Federation rebuild its reputation at the Slovenian and international sports level.

The award for long-term work in the professional and organisational filed was presented to Silvo Marinčič

Silvo Marinčič has been professional women's sports gymnastics trainer in the Gymnastic Club Zelena jama for 36 years. During his time the GC Zelena jama took the leading role in women's sports gymnastics already in the former Yugoslavia and is still the leading club in the country. Its competitors are winning at national championships in all youth categories and are members of the national team in all selections. Silvo Marinič took part in 13 European and 6 world championships as a trainer. His competitor Bojana Vrščaj was the first in the history of Slovenian women's sports gymnastics to reach the world cup finals. Later on Adeli Šajn managed the same and was ranked top three at quite a few world cups. The highlight of his career as trainer was when Adela Šajn qualified for the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing.

In 2002 Silvo Marinčič received the Slovenian Gymnastics Federation award for most successful trainer in youth categories, and in the years between 2003 and 2010 he received the award for best trainer in the senior category.

The City of Ljubljana has been presenting Marjan Rožanc Awards since 1992. The awards are given to workers in sports, athletes, sports teachers, professional sports workers and sports journalists for their outstanding achievements.