User:User122679/Samo Petrač

Samo Petrač, born on 15.8.1974 in Škofja Loka, is a Slovenian deaf athlete renowned for his exceptional achievements in alpine skiing, cycling, and basketball. Petrač is the only deaf athlete in the world who has medals both from the Summer and Winter Deaflympics, placing him among the most successful Slovenian athletes with disabilities.

Sports Career
Samo Petrač began his sports journey in the Alpetour Ski Club in his hometown. His outstanding competitive career in alpine skiing reached its peak at the Deaf European Championships and Winter Deaflympics. He made his debut at the Deaf Alpine Skiing European Championships in 1986 in Schladming, Austria. In the following years, he excelled in various competitions, including the Deaf European Championships and Winter Deaflympics.

Alpine Skiing:
- *5th Deaf European Championships, Serre Chvealier (FRA), 1992:* Giant Slalom, 3rd place

- *13th Winter Deaflympics, Yllas (FIN), 1995:* Downhill, 2nd place; Giant Slalom, 3rd place; Super-G, 3rd place

- *6th Deaf European Championships, Sundsvall (SWE), 1996:* Slalom, 1st place; Downhill, 3rd place; Parallel Slalom, 1st place

- *14th Winter Deaflympics, Davos (SUI), 1999:* Downhill, 1st place

- *7th Deaf European Championships, Courmayeur (ITA), 2000:* Downhill, 2nd place

- *15th Winter Deaflympics, Sundsvall (SWE), 2003:* Downhill, 2nd place

- *8th Deaf European Championships, Füssen (GER), 2004:* Downhill, 2nd place

Cycling:
- *17th Summer Deaflympics, Sofia (Bulgaria), 1993:* Road Race 100 km, 3rd place

Basketball:
- *Deaf European Championships, Tel Aviv, 1992:* 4th place

Achievements and Awards
Samo Petrač has been a multiple medalist at the Deaflympics and Deaf European Championships in various sports. In 1999, he won a gold medal in downhill skiing at the Winter Deaflympics in Davos, despite being diagnosed with cancer. After successful recovery, he continued his sports journey and achieved even more remarkable results. Due to his outstanding achievements and incredible will to live, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf in 2001. Petrač has been recognized as the Disabled Athlete of the Year four times.

Samo Petrač is an icon of Slovenian and international sports, proving that strong willpower, perseverance, and talent are key factors in achieving top sports performance. With his achievements, he has inspired many and left an indelible mark in the history of deaf sports.