Čop is remembered the most paired with Luka Špik in the double skulls, with whom he won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The pair also won silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics and bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.

Čop also won bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with Denis Žvegelj in the coxless pair. His medal count also includes five golds and five solvers at world championships.

OKS president Bogdan Gabrovec noted that Čop is succeeding two successful athletes who previously headed Slovenian Olympic teams - slalom canoer Andraž Vehovar, who headed the team in Beijing in 2008 and cross-country skier Petra Majdič, who was given the honour in Sochi in 2012.

"I know what the Olympians need for the games to run smoothly and without problems. Together with the colleagues from the OKS, athletes and other members I will try to create as good an atmosphere as possible in the team, which is one of the foundations for success," Čop said.