President Milanović Decorates Zrinka Ljutić and Amir Ljutić with the Order of the Croatian Star with the Effigy of Franjo Bučar
“Every time you stand on the podium, our people feel it deeply—they are moved, and they want more. You must be aware of that, rise above it, and continue striving for success, because that’s what drives you forward. It’s also a powerful message and inspiration to our people: that success is rewarded, that sacrifice and hard work truly pay off, and that there are no shortcuts to greatness. I hope this marks the beginning of a decade of success for you and that others will follow in your footsteps,” said President Zoran Milanović today as he presented Croatian alpine skier Zrinka Ljutić and her coach Amir Ljutić with the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Franjo Bučar.
In his address, President Milanović congratulated the honourees on their outstanding achievements and expressed his gratitude and admiration for their families and all those who supported them materially and logistically. “I’m glad that your efforts have already borne fruit—and that even greater rewards lie ahead, both personally and financially, for all the time and resources invested by you as a family, the Federation, and the Croatian Olympic Committee. It was uncertain for a time, but in the end, the victories came,” he said.
President Milanović awarded Zrinka Ljutić the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Franjo Bučar for her exceptional sporting achievement—winning the title of the world’s top slalom skier in the 2024/2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season—and for her outstanding contribution to promoting sport and enhancing the international standing of the Republic of Croatia. Her coach, Amir Ljutić, received the same honour, the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Franjo Bučar, for his many years of dedicated work developing Croatian alpine skiing and for his key role in achieving top results in the 2024/2025 season.
Expressing her gratitude to the President of the Republic for the decoration, Zrinka Ljutić also thanked her team, support staff, the Croatian Olympic Committee, and her family. “I am very proud to represent Croatia at such a high level, and to have brought the Crystal Globe home. I’m hoping for Olympic success next year. I’ll give it my all, and I’m confident that more great results lie ahead,” she said.
Also attending the ceremony at the Office of the President were Zrinka Ljutić’s assistant coach Tomislav Šarić; representatives of the Croatian Ski Association including President Miho Glavić, Secretary General Damir Raos, Honorary President Srečko Ferenčak, Ana Marija Komparić, Nenad Eror, and Mirna Grozdanić; as well as representatives of the Croatian Olympic Committee, including President Zlatko Mateša and Secretary General Siniša Krajač.
President Milanović was joined by the Head of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic Bartol Šimunić; Commissioner of the President of the Republic for Sports Tomislav Paškvalin; Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense Ivica Olujić; Adviser to the President of the Republic for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić; Adviser to the President of the Republic for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić; Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for the Economy Velibor Mačkić; and Assistant Adviser to the President of the Republic for Foreign and European Policy Ivan Mutavdžić.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan, Filip Glas