After the splitting of then Czechoslovakia, Slovakia officially became a state in 1992. Slovakia is a Central European country that has relatively diverse choices when it comes to sports.
Sport is quite an important part of the Slovak culture and many world-class athletes come from this part of the world including skier Veronika Velez-Zuzulová, cyclist Peter Sagan as well as Martin and brother Peter Velits.
Unlike most European countries that have a love affair with football, the Slavs' prefer a sport that goes well with the general climate of the country. Their number one sport is ice hockey. After being a state, Slovakia became an International Ice Hockey Federation member in 1993 and has been winning various medals in the sport. Their national ice hockey team is also considered as one of the powerhouse teams regularly winning international championships and even in the Olympics.
They have also hosted various international ice hockey competitions such the 2011 IIHF World Championship held in Bratislava and Košice. Some of the best known Slovak ice hockey players include names like Stan Mikita, Martin Cibák, and Miroslav Šatan. Football is still quite popular in Slovakia as well as a number of summer sports such as cycling, hiking, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Slovakia.
Popular sports of Slovakia
- Football (Soccer), Ice hockey, cycling, hiking, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball
Slovakia's Sporting Success
Great athletes from Slovakia
- Stan Mikita (ice hockey)
- Martin Cibák (ice hockey)
- Miroslav Šatan (ice hockey)
- Veronika Velez-Zuzulová (skiing)
- Anastasiya Kuzmina (biathlon)
- Peter Sagan (cycling)
- Martin and Peter Velits (cycling)
Slovakia Sports trivia
- Anastasiya Kuzmina is Slovakia's most successful Winter Olympic athlete, with a career total of three golds and three silvers.
Slovakia at major events
- Slovakia at the Summer Olympics
- Slovakia at the Winter Olympics
- Slovakia at the FIFA World Cup
- Slovakia at the UEFA Euros
Past sporting events events hosted in Slovakia
Upcoming sporting events in Slovakia
Annual sporting events held in Slovakia
Sporting Facilities in Slovakia
Other
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