Iztok Cop

Iztok was born 17 June, 1972 in Kranj, Slovenia. He visited the elementary school in Lesce and the high school in Škofja Loka.

Athens 2004 - Gold medal (http://www.iztokcop.com)

The year 1985 was a special year for Iztok's future. He sat for the first time in a rowing boat. And this is how the career of one of the most successful Slovenian athletes began. The first success came only 4 years later when he became the world champion in coxless pair with Denis Žvegelj. The next year their success was repeated. In 1991 they first competed in the Men's category in the World Rowing Championship in Vienna and they were left behind by the two legendary rowers, Redgrave and Pinsent. At the Olympic Games in Barcelona the two won the first Olympic medal for Slovenia, the next year they finished 3rd on their last World Championship together in Roudnice, Czech Republic.

Iztok Èop (http://www.iztokcop.com)

Iztok wanted to try the elite discipline, the single scull. The first season he was 3rd but the second season he won on the World Rowing Championships and he became world champion in single scull. The next three years he was 4th at every world championships. In the year 1999 he joined forces with Lika Špik. They've been unbeatable for two straight years, including the World Championship in St. Catharines (CAN) and the Olympic Games in Sydney where the two won the first Olympic gold for Slovenia. After Sydney Iztok returned to single scull and collected silver at the Worlds in Luzerne and Seville, and bronze in Milan 2003. For the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 he got back together with Špik and won silver.

Iztok Èop (http://www.iztokcop.com)

2005 was also a very special year in his career: Iztok decided for a double performance on the World Championship in Gifu, Japan. He and Luka became world champions in a double, a day after, together with Prelog and Mizerit they were second in quad. FISA awarded Iztok and Luka with a male crew of the year award.

Iztok, by far the most successful athlete in the Republic of Slovenia, has already achieved everything one can achieve in sport. But not only that. Iztok is a dedicated family man. He loves spending time with his family, especially with his daughters Ruby and Amber. He is my hero because he isn’t just a very successful athlete, he is a good man and he has done so many good and brave things in his life.