The Slovenian mixed biathlon relay won a silver medal at the World Championship in 2012 (they even reached the finish line first!), but according to the rules of the International Biathlon Union for the Olympic qualifications only results of male and female relays are taken into account, and not results of the mixed relays. Foto: Reuters
The Slovenian mixed biathlon relay won a silver medal at the World Championship in 2012 (they even reached the finish line first!), but according to the rules of the International Biathlon Union for the Olympic qualifications only results of male and female relays are taken into account, and not results of the mixed relays. Foto: Reuters
Tina Maze
Before the start of the season Tina Maze was considered the first favourite for medals in Sochi, but after the turbulent winter the high placements are not as self-evident as during the last year's dream season. Foto: Reuters
The hottest candidates for medals are the ski jumpers, especially in team events. Foto: EPA


The Slovenian Olympic team for Russia will be led by the former exemplary cross-country skier Petra Majdič, the only athlete besides Tina Maze to win a medal for Slovenia in Vancouver 2010. Four years ago in Canada Petra Majdič won a bronze medal, and Tina Maze two silver ones.
Also this year Tina Maze is considered one of the candidates for the highest places, as well as biathlete Jakov Fak, ski jumpers led by Peter Prevc, snowboarders with Žan Košir...
Will the International Olympic Committee grant the request of our biathlon mixed relay?
The Slovenian male biathlon relay was among the last ones to qualify for the Olympics, but the participation of the mixed relay which might very well belong among the candidates for a medal still remains uncertain. Due to wrong interpretation of the IBU rules at the biathlon World Championship last year Slovenia failed to qualify. A single point prevented the participation of the mixed biathlon relay (Fak-Bauer-Mali-Gregorin) in Sochi. The biathlon team still hopes that the Slovenia Olympic Committee might get a special invitation from the IOC – a wild card for the mixed relay, especially because for now only 16 mixed relays confirmed their participation, while 20 relays can compete.
The list of 66 passengers to Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games:
Alpine skiing (8):
- men: Rok Perko, Mitja Valenčič, Klemen Kosi, Žan Kranjec;
- women: Tina Maze, Ilka Štuhec, Maruša Ferk, Katarina Lavtar;
Ice hockey (25):
Luka Gračnar, Andrej Hočevar, Robert Kristan, Blaž Gregorc, Sabahudin Kovačević, Aleš Kranjc, Žiga Pavlin, Matic Podlipnik, Klemen Pretnar, Mitja Robar, Andrelj Tavželj, Boštjan Goličič, Žiga Jeglič, Anže Kopitar, Anže Kuralt, Jan Muršak, Aleš Mušič, Žiga Pance, Tomaž Razingar, David Rodman, Marcel Rodman, Robert Sabolič, Rok Tičar, Jan Urbas in Miha Verlič
Ski jumping (9):
- men: Peter Prevc, Robert Kranjec, Jaka Hvala, Jurij Tepeš, Jernej Damjan;
- women: Katja Požun, Špela Rogelj, Eva Logar, Maja Vtič;
Biathlon (6): Jakov Fak, Klemen Bauer, Janez Marič, Peter Dokl, Simon Hočevar, Teja Gregorin;
Cross-country skiing (5): Katja Višnar, Vesna Fabjan, Alenka Čebašek, Nika Razinger, Barbara Jezeršek;
Nordic combined (3, 1 pending): Marjan Jelenko, Gašper Berlot, Mitja Oranič;
Freestyle skiing (1): Filip Flisar;
Snowboarding (9):
- men: Žan Košir, Rok Marguč, Rok Flander, Izidor Šušteršič (parallel disciplines), Matija Mihić (snowboard cross), Tim-Kevin Ravnjak, Jan Kralj (ski half-pipe);
- women: Cilka Sadar, Gloria Kotnik (parallel disciplines).
Pending the IOC's decision:
Andreja Mali (biathlon), Filip Kavčič (ski half-pipe), Tim Mastnak (snowboard parallel disciplines) and Matic Plaznik (Nordic combined).