Dear Primož

I’ve been taught that sport is many things. Most of all, it’s an industry, an opportunity for business. But for me, it has always been a story, a platform for life, with athletes as the main characters, who teach us about perseverance and inspiration.

Your story - without a shadow of a doubt - is a story of perseverance. No one can become world champion by accident, a feat you achieved in ski jumping. And because your plan for the future was clear, you wanted to build on your success in youth competitions when transitioning into competition among the elite. You persevered for a long time, endeavoured, changed strategies, but in the end, you realized that you just won't stick landing telemarks at the bottom of hills.

But the passion and desire to win remained like a smouldering ember. You jumped straight into a new sport. On your bike, you started climbing hills instead of jumping off them. With equipment that was uncompetitive, you looked like a stranger, an outsider, an alien. Others just smiled or gave you a surprised look. But in the end, you were the one laughing: shattering all prejudices and showing that fire can take you to many places, even abroad, where you sharpened your talent and provided it with a way to win. You tasted what you've been searching for years and years. That's why your story is - without a shadow of a doubt - a story of inspiration.

Humans are not robots. We take different paths, we are shaped by different experiences and events. Sport is automated in many ways, but it is never 100% clear how an event will unfold, who will win and who will lose. But sport is not only about victories, and victories are not reserved exclusively for those on the top step of the podium. Victories are much more.

Victories can be born even in the worst moments. When you fall and sit on the side of the road, maybe you're pensive, maybe you're looking for a spare wheel and out of the corner of your eye seeking a mechanic or a chair to sit on and straighten your dislocated joints. When you're lying on the rehab table, tied up with meters and meters of bandages, you still smile and jokingly describe yourself as a mummy. But we don't even see the hardest part, coming back, suffering, pushing the pedals in pain and maybe wondering if all of it makes sense.

Of course, it makes sense!

Crash, panic when finding a bike, mistakes with nutrition → Vuelta 2019

Crash, lost Tour on the (penultimate) last day → Vuelta 2020

Crash, you couldn't even fight for the Tour → Olympic champion (!) and Vuelta 2021

Hay stack, crash and crash → X

It doesn't even matter what X stands for. The fact is you'll get back up. I know you will rise. But even if a first place is not hidden behind X, know that you have already won. Because you will stand up and try.

Because you are - without a shadow of a doubt - a role model.

Dear Primož, thank you.