Joined by friends and fans on the River Ljubljanica in the evening, the 40-year-old Čop will mount a reprise of the Čop Challenger, an exhibition event that he used to organise every year.

He will compete against his long-time rowing partner Luka Špik as well as Norwegian Olaf Tufte, Czech Vaclav Chalupa, Estonian Juri Jaanson, Italian Rosano Galtarosa, and the Germans Peter Hölzenbein and Marcel Hacker.

The rowers will compete on the river, but they will also give indoor rowers a try, competing among themselves and with sports journalists.

Speaking to the STA ahead of the event, Čop said he was hard-pressed to pinpoint a single highlight in his illustrious career. But he said this year's Olympic performance was nevertheless special.

"I never imagined it is possible to do the programme 100% and complete the details as perfectly as we did this year," Čop said in reference to the bronze medal that he won with Luka Špik in London.

His career having ended, Čop does not know yet what he will do. "I want to do something alone, I won't get a job anywhere and I'm definitely going to have to invest," he said.

But he is not opposed to the idea of continuing to work in sport. "I'll see in about two years, when it's clear how much time I can sacrifice for other things."