Plenković Receives Kolak and Bloudek
European champion in javelin throw and European runner-up in the 800 meters were received at Banski Dvori, with the Prime Minister noting that the Government has increased sports funding sevenfold
European champion in javelin throw and European runner-up in the 800 meters were received at Banski Dvori, with the Prime Minister noting that the Government has increased sports funding sevenfold
Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković received European javelin champion Sara Kolak and European 800-meter runner-up Marino Bloudek at Banski Dvori on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. On that occasion, he once again congratulated them on their outstanding success at the European Championships in Birmingham.
Marino Bloudek, a former European junior champion in the 800 meters and, since last week, the European runner-up in the senior category, thanked the hosts and emphasized how much representing Croatia means to him.
"I am extremely pleased and honored to have been able to compete for Croatia and defend the colors of our country. I gave my all. The medal is silver, but for me it's as big as gold. I hope to have a healthy career ahead and to repeat or improve on this result," said Bloudek.
He particularly thanked his club AK "Dinamo-Zrinjevac" and coach Mladen Kršek, as well as the City of Zagreb, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Croatian Athletics Federation, and the Croatian Olympic Committee for recognizing his potential. He added that he is glad they all invested effort and saw potential in him.
Sara Kolak, a 31-year-old from Ludbreg, Olympic champion from Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the new European champion, reflected on her journey to the top.
"Thank you for hosting us today. Some might say they waited ten years. I worked hard for ten years, and I'm glad I brought home another medal. I would like to thank everyone for their support-my coach, the whole team, and all the institutions that support us," said Kolak.
President of the Croatian Athletics Federation Ivan Veštić emphasized the importance of the reception for the entire athletics community.
"This reception is a sign of respect from the highest leadership of this country for Croatian athletics, the Croatian Athletics Federation, and these young people who achieved this result. This is the 20th medal for Croatian athletics at European championships. This is already the eighth consecutive European championship where we have won at least one medal, and this year we were 12th on the medal table in Birmingham," said Veštić.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina highlighted the uniqueness of both results, placing Kolak among the greats of Croatian athletics alongside Blanka Vlašić, Sandra Elkasević, Filip Mihaljević, Stipe Žunić, and Luciano Sušanj. For Bloudek, he said he achieved an exceptional result in one of the most demanding disciplines. He also stressed that these results are a special story and that young people have role models.
Prime Minister Plenković, in his address, recalled the historical context of both achievements.
"Dear Sara, after Olympic gold, it's fascinating to have European gold ten years later. Congratulations! I see that Marino was winning golds as a junior in 2017, and now, nine years later, this European silver in the 800 meters, more than 50 years after Luciano Sušanj, is a great success for us and for the entire Croatian Athletics Federation. It is recognition for Croatian sport, because athletics is the queen of sports," said Plenković.
He added that the Government will continue to support sports and athletes because it means a lot for Croatia, for people's emotions, and for branding the country in the world. On social media, the Prime Minister also shared concrete figures: the Government has increased sports investments sevenfold, investments in athletics have increased by 140 percent, and more than 20 athletics tracks have been renovated or built across Croatia.
