Kayaker peter Kauzer carryed the Slovenian flag at the opening ceremony, which President Danilo Türk and Education and Sport Minister Žiga Turk attended as guests of honour on behalf of Slovenia.

Kauzer is also considered a top favourite for a medal and is even the bookies' favourite in his event.

Judokas Urška Žolnir and Lucija Polavder are also among the top contenders in their respective weight categories, as are rowers Iztok Čop and Luka Špik, and sailing star Vasilij Žbogar. All of them already have Olympic medals.

But all eyes in Slovenia will be on Primož Kozmus, who will be defending the Olympic title in the hammer throw.

The veteran on the team, 49-year-old shooter Rajmond Debevec, has had a mixed record in his seven previous Olympics but he boasts gold from Sydney and bronze from Beijing.

The first Slovenian to compete at the games will be archer Klemen Štrajhar, who will hit the shooting range on Friday morning.