Former Olympic Champion Donates Javelin to Croatian Sports Museum

Amid preparations for the biggest athletics event of the season, the World Championships in September in Tokyo, javelin thrower Sara Kolak, former Olympic champion, has donated the javelin she used at the 2024 Olympic Games—where she placed fourth—to the Croatian Sports Museum, CE Report quotes HINA.

“The javelin of the athlete from Ludbreg, signed by her, will be placed in the museum’s permanent exhibition, in the Athletics display case, highlighting the greatest achievements since Croatia’s independence, alongside artifacts from other ‘queens’ of our ‘queen of sports’—Sandra Elkasević and Blanka Vlašić,” announced the Croatian Sports Museum, which is expected to open to the public this fall.

Sara Kolak will be part of the Croatian delegation for the World Championships in Tokyo, taking place from September 13 to 21, as the season’s outdoor highlight. She qualified for the competition thanks to her 63.40-meter throw at the Paris Olympics.

Kolak said she decided to make the donation because it is important to her that her javelin is properly preserved and accessible to the public. She wants every museum visitor to see the item not only as a sports tool but also as part of Croatian sports history.

“I believe that sporting achievements should not remain only personal memories but should be shared with others—especially young people who may be dreaming of their own path in sport,” she explained.

She added that she is glad there is interest in collecting, preserving, and promoting Croatian sports heritage and achievements through a public national cultural institution.

“The Croatian Sports Museum is an excellent venue for this because it offers visitors everything in one place and allows them to see the rich history and proud moments of our sport,” she added.

Kolak won Olympic gold in Brazil in 2016, which she described as the fulfillment of a dream she had worked hard for over many years—a dream supported not only by her efforts but also by the tremendous support of her closest ones.

“An Olympic medal is the pinnacle of every athlete’s career, and it is a special honor for me to have added another recognition to Croatia with that medal—a country with such a rich sporting tradition. I am proud to have contributed to Croatian sport and to have left a legacy that I hope will motivate and inspire future generations of athletes,” she said.