Tadej Pogačar, the reigning Tour de France champion, has cited the Slovenian Olympic Committee’s (OKS) decision not to select his girlfriend, Urška Žigart, as a significant factor in his choice to withdraw from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Pogačar, who has been a dominant force in cycling, initially expressed excitement about competing in the Olympic Games but has reconsidered his participation in light of recent developments.
Urška Žigart, a talented cyclist in her own right, was notably left off the Slovenian Olympic roster despite her impressive performances and contributions to the sport.
The OKS’s decision not to include Žigart appears to have influenced Pogačar’s outlook on the Olympics. He has been vocal about his support for Žigart and her omission from the team may have sparked a reevaluation of his own commitment to the Games.
Pogačar’s decision underscores the personal and professional intertwining of relationships in elite sports.
For many athletes, decisions regarding participation in major events are not only influenced by their own aspirations but also by the broader context of their team and loved ones’ experiences.
Pogačar’s withdrawal highlights how deeply interconnected personal and professional considerations can be for athletes, and how these factors can shape their choices on the international stage.