Association head Enzo Smrekar addressed the athletes, saying that he believed that they trained hard and were entering the season ready. "The season is important because it is an Olympic season and we stand behind you, be confident, show what you are capable of and I believe that results will come this year".

Education, Science and Sport Minister Maja Makovec Brenčič said that the athletes were role models and an inspiration for all.

All national team members in Alpine skiing, snowboarding, freestyle skiing, biathlon, ski jumps, cross-country skiing and Alpine combined were presented today.

Best Slovenian skier Ilka Štuhec, who won the women's World Cup downhill last season, said that the Olympic Games were "certainly one of the main goals", while Slovenia's best male downhill racer Boštjan Kline added that "we can optimistically look forward to the new season".

"A medal at the Olympics is certainly a goal, but this is also the goal of all other 5,000 athletes who will compete. We first have to give our best in every individual event in the World Cup, and then be as good as possible at the Games," Kline said.

The event was also attended among others by ski jumpers Peter and Domen Prevc and Ema Klinec, freestyle skier Filip Flisar, snowboarder Žan Košir, cross-country skiers Vesna Fabjan and Anamarija Lampič and biathletes Jakov Fak and Teja Gregorin.

Peter Prevc, Slovenia's best ski jumper, acknowledged that he was not fully himself in the summer season, but had hopes that he got the right direction before the main winter season.

"Things can turn around quickly in sports. But, it can go either up or down," he noted. "I had enough trouble even before... I'm fit physically, it's the head that makes trouble. Now I have to relax and take a deep breath and everything will be ok in the end," he added.

In the morning, the athletes joined some 250 primary school children for a sports quiz and a presentation of winter sports at an event which was also attended by Prime Minister Miro Cerar.

"When one of you wins, we all rejoice. But every athlete counts and everybody will give their best. You athletes are one of the best ambassadors of Slovenia, and role models to young people," Cerar told the athletes.