The champion said he was proud that he could gather such a mass of people at one place.

"First, when I finished second three times, they said that I was almost there. But at the end of this season they asked why I had to win all the time," he commented on his relationship with the opponents.

Prevc dominated this World Cup season in a spectacular fashion, breaking the record for the number of individual wins and points won, and ended the season with a win at home in Planica on Sunday.

He was joined on the stage by Alpine skiers Ana Drev and Boštjan Kline, biathletes Jakov Fak and Teja Gregorin, snowboarders Rok Marguč and Žan Košir, freestyle skier Filip Flisar, ski jumper Maja Vtič and cross-country skier Vesna Fabjan.

On the occasion, Prevc handed out the signed skis he competed with this season to director of hardware retailer Bauhaus in Slovenia Samo Kupljen, who won them on behalf of the company for EUR 45,000 in a charity auction.

"Why wouldn't I give up the skis I don't need any more for a good cause and help someone who needs help," the ski jumping champion said.

The event organised by the Slovenian Ski Associations and its sponsors and supported by the Val 202 radio station, also saw a performance by rock band Dan D.

The winter athletes were received beforehand by President Borut Pahor and Education, Science and Sport Minister Maja Makovec Brenčič.

Pahor pointed to the last weekend when Planica hosted the Ski Jumping World Cup season finale, saying that he could never forget the unique atmosphere there created by tens of thousands of fans.

Minister Makovec Brenčič added that Slovenian athletes did not only strengthen the athletic spirit of Slovenia, but that they were also putting Slovenia's name on the global map.