Expo 2020 Dubai brings together Croatia’s top champions for first time at multi-sport event

Croatian champions across multiple sporting disciplines gathered together for the “first time in history”, according to the Croatia Pavilion, to promote the country’s sporting prowess at Expo 2020 Dubai. As part of Expo’s Health and Wellness Week (27 January-2 February), the delegation treated visitors to an interactive and educational sporting exhibition.

The group of Olympic medal winners and world champions included Mirza Džomba (handball), Gordan Giriček (basketball), Sandra Perković (discus), Stipe Pletikosa (football), brothers Martin and Valent Sinković (rowing), and Blanka Vlašić (high jump).

The Sinkovićs have achieved two Olympic gold medals, as well as an Olympic silver medal, making them Croatia’s most successful rowers in the last decade.

Together, the delegation held a sports masterclass any aspiring athlete would dream of joining, as Giriček demonstrated the proper way to hold a basketball and shoot hoops, while the Sinković brothers taught Vlašić how to row like a pro.

The athletes expressed their honour and joy at representing Croatia to the world and being given the opportunity to experience Expo 2020 Dubai.

Olympic medallist and two-time world champion Vlašić, who has achieved the second-highest female high jump ever, commented: “I’m really excited to be here and to represent my country, and of course I am very proud of my colleagues and to be in such special company.”

Pletikosa, who is the Croatian national football team’s third-most capped player and current Assistant Manager to the Croatian national team under Manager Zlatko Dalić, added: “I am excited to be here in Dubai at this beautiful event, and I hope you are all enjoying it as much as we are.”

Text, photos and video: Expo Dubai 2020.