S.R.
10. 9. 2024, 19.18
Updated: September 10, 2024, 7:18 p.m
Janja Garnbret, a gold medalist from Šmartne pri Slovenj Gradac, was welcomed in Velenje today as part of the Pika Festival.
The famous Pikin festival in Velenje will take place until Friday, but today they have prepared a very special day there. The two-time Olympic champion arrived at the festival Janja Garnbretwho was also accompanied by her coach at the reception Roman Krajnik. Hundreds of children were waiting for her at Tito Square, which made her very happy.
As Janja jokingly told Radio Velenje and Naš čas, she and Pika have never competed in either climbing or measuring strength, but she agrees that they are definitely the strongest girls. Regarding whether she is already used to receiving receptions for her achievements, she said that she is “used to, but on the other hand, you can never get used to it,” because it’s still one such thing she’s into “always warm in the heart that people show you support and all the love.” Especially in this case, like today, when the reception is going on “within the Pika Festival, where there are many children, first graders, it is even better.”
On the other hand, her coach Roman Krajnik explained what, in addition to strength, an athlete needs to win so many laurels and two Olympic gold medals: “Wow, a lot of things, a lot of training, hard training, and a lot of giving up, but above all, a very well-tuned head for such an effort as the Olympic Games”
The people of Velenje regard Janja as their own, even though she is from Slovenjgrad, but she says that she always likes to return to Velenje. “Velje is my second home. I attended Velenje High School here, I trained here, together with my beginnings in the national team, so I could say that I can’t decide on one place. It’s always nice when I come back.”
The next Olympics?
Garnbret said she wants to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. At the same time, she pointed out that there are still four years to go, during which many unexpected things can happen. “Maybe it’s too early to talk about what will happen in Los Angeles, but it’s definitely my desire to perform there. But four years is not a short period,” she said, according to STA. She also said that she will not compete at the upcoming national championship in Celje, as she will travel to France on Wednesday, where she will be tested on a natural rock wall.
Today in Velenje, the local mayor also congratulated her for her achievements Peter Dermol. “It is a great honor for us that Janja always returns to places that are connected in one way or another to her sports career. I think this is a person who has not been changed by success, because she is still simple and the way we knew her in the past. The men and women of Velenj are extremely proud to be part of this story,” Dermol concluded, according to STA.
Source: svet24.si
