Ludbreg Gets Sara Kolak Sports Park
The new European javelin champion was welcomed in her hometown with the opening of a park and a mural dedicated to her, and she told young people to believe in themselves.
The new European javelin champion was welcomed in her hometown with the opening of a park and a mural dedicated to her, and she told young people to believe in themselves.
Croatian javelin thrower Sara Kolak, who won the European championship title in Birmingham on Sunday, was welcomed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in her hometown of Ludbreg. On that occasion, the Sara Kolak Sports Park was officially opened at the athletics track, and a mural dedicated to her was unveiled in Ban Jelačić Street, reports Prigorski.
Kolak triumphed in Birmingham with a throw of 62.43 meters, which she executed in the first series of the final. It was her first medal from a major competition exactly 10 years after the greatest achievement of her career, when she became Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
The sports park in Ludbreg, which includes an athletics track, tennis courts, a football field with artificial turf, and a basketball court, is still under construction. A hall, especially for martial arts, is also planned, and the total cost will be slightly more than 2 million euros, according to Sportske novosti.
The mayor of Ludbreg, Dubravko Bilić, revealed that the park was initially dedicated to a young handball player from Ludbreg who passed away prematurely. "But, I essentially promised Sara something like this two years ago, and I am extremely pleased that it now coincides so well with her European championship title," Bilić stated for Sportske novosti.
Naming sports facilities after living individuals is not common. Sportske novosti reminds that among the rare examples in Croatia are the Goran Ivanišević Tennis Stadium in Umag and the recently opened Dodig Tennis Center in Međugorje, named after the celebrated tennis player Ivan Dodig. In Eindhoven, Netherlands, a facility named after swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband has existed for about 20 years.
Sara Kolak thanked those gathered with the words: "Thank you, my faithful Ludbreg residents." She emotionally described the moment of the welcome: "When I see all the Ludbreg residents here, all the kids here, I would roughly say that I am aware of what has been done. Actually, it took me back 10 years, after the gold from Rio. I am truly grateful to them for coming to support me, for always being by my side, for cheering and believing in me."
When asked what she would tell her younger self, she replied: "I would only tell her to never lose the joy for sports. Let her believe in herself, not give up, and be patient. Well, I have been quite patient for the last 10 years. Everything is possible if you dream, have support, if you believe."
Speaking about her schedule, she announced her appearance at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne on August 21 and at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto on September 1. A possible appearance at the World Championships in Budapest is also on the cards, but as she says, she is not yet sure. It is clear, however, that her goal is to compete at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
The welcome was briefly interrupted by a downpour, but it did not spoil the mood. "The medal is in my pocket, and no one can take that away," Kolak said, as reported by Sportske novosti.
