»Bravo Tina!« se je slišalo v Slovenski

hiši na sprejemu v čast srebrni kolajno

v superveleslalomu, ko smo jo čakali,

da je prišla s podelitve medalj.

Zbrali so se Tinini navijači, ki so prišli

iz Slovenije, športniki, predsednik OKS

mag. Janez Kocijančič, minister

dr. Igor Lukšič in številni domači

in tuji novinarji. Slovenska hiša je bila

danes polna do zadnjega kotička.

Prihajale so čestitke iz Slovenije.

Vzdušje je bilo izjemno in vsi smo se

veselili skupaj s Tino. 

 »Ste kaj veseli? Jaz sem!«,

je prešerno nasmejana srebrna

Tina Maze nagovorila zbrane. »Super dan je,

super tekma. Vesela sem, da mi je uspelo

uresničiti svoje sanje. Vesela sem za svojo

ekipo in seveda zase. Verjamem,

da boste vi tukaj bolj proslavili medaljo,

mene pa jutri čaka trening«, je bila presrečna

Tina. Kako vesela sta, sta povedala tudi trener

Andrea Massi in serviser Andrej Jezeršek iz

ekipe Tine Maze. Za olimpijsko srebro je Tina

dobila tudi svojo torto.

V imenu olimpijskega komiteja Slovenije

je Tini Maze iskreno čestital tudi

mag. Janez Kocijančič. »To je prva srebrna

medalja za Slovenijo na zimskih olimpijskih

igrah in največji uspeh za slovenske zimske

olimpijce«, je povedal. In dodal, da Slovenija

najbrž praznuje z nami. »Mislim, da so to že

najbolj uspešne zimske olimpijske igre za

Slovenijo«, je še povedal predsednik OKS.

Svojo čestitko Tini Maze in njeni

ekipi je dodal tudi minister za šolstvo in šport

dr. Igor Lukšič. »Danes praznuje Slovenija,

slovensko smučanje, danes praznuje Tina Maze.

Vsi smo veseli teh uspehov, ki smo jih tako

dolgo čakali,« je povedal minister.

Male države so obsojene na občutek

manjvrednosti, ko tako stojimo na

zmagovalnem podiju, imamo občutek, da

smo močni in veliki, je nadaljeval minister.

Tako se gradi nacionalna zavest. »Zastave

so, da se jih dviguje. Hvala ti Tina, da se je

danes dvignila naša«.Tino je čakalo še nekaj

intervjujev, potem pa je zabavo zapustila.

Časa za veliko slavje (še) ni, saj jo čakajo

še treningi in pomembne tekme.

In še enkrat: čestitamo Tina! Hvala!

The words “Bravo Tina!” resounded at

a reception in the Slovenia House,

as our silver Super G heroine returned

from the medal award ceremony.

Tina was greeted by her fans – who came

all the way from Slovenia – other athletes,

the President of the Slovenian Olympic Committee,

Janez Kocijančič, Minister Igor Lukšič,

and a crowd of local and international journalists.

The Slovenia House was packed to capacity.

Congratulations poured in from Slovenia,

and everyone rejoiced with Tina in the excited atmosphere.

“Are you happy? Because I sure am!” said Tina,

laughing as she addressed the crowd.

“It’s been a great day, and a great race.

I’m happy I made my dreams come true.

I’m happy for my team and, of course,

for myself. I know that you’re going to

stay up late and celebrate my medal,

but I have to train tomorrow,”

said Tina with a grin.

Tina’s coach, Andrea Massi,

and her ski technician, Andrej Jezeršek,

shared their enthusiasm with everyone else.

Tina was also presented with a cake

for her Olympic silver.

Mr Janez Kocijančič congratulated

Tina Maze on behalf of the Slovenian

Olympic Committee. “This is Slovenia’s

first silver medal in the winter Olympics,

and the greatest success for our

winter Olympians,” he said, adding that

Slovenia is celebrating with her athletes.

“I believe these are the most successful

Olympics for Slovenia to date,”

concluded the SOC President.

The Minister of Education and Sport,

Dr Igor Lukšič, also congratulated Tina

and her team. “Today is a big day for Slovenia,

Slovenian skiers and Tina Maze. We are all

delighted with the success we have been

waiting for all these years,” said the Minister,

adding that, “Small countries may often feel

inferior, but as we stand on the winners podium,

we feel that we are big and strong.”

The Minister stressed that this was

how national consciousness was built.

“Flags are there for us to raise.

Thank you, Tina, for raising our flag today.”