Team Canada takes home nine medals at 5th Croatian World Games 

Team Canada Team Red Soccer bronze medal winners

Largest Canadian contingent to date unites athletes from 16 – 89 years of age with athletes from 26 countries

The 5th Croatian World Games (Hrvatske svjetske igre), which started on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, concluded with its traditional cross country run at Bundek Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. In total, this year’s Team Canada, comprised of more than 150 athletes primarily from the provinces of Vancouver and Ontario, took home a total of nine medals: one gold, four silver and four bronze.

“Croatians from Canada have participated in every one of the five CWG held to date,” said National Team Coordinator and CWG Executive Organizing Committee member, Caroline Spivak. “We are so proud of our more than 150 athletes who helped to bring home nine medals. Our athletes competed in a variety of sports including: basketball, beach volleyball, bocce, cross country run/walk, golf, table tennis, soccer, swimming and volleyball.”

Team Canada volleyball silver medal winners

Bringing together amateur athletes who share Croatian heritage is the main focus of the Games. In addition to Team Canada competitions, team members stepped in to help other countries fill their team rosters which created additional opportunities for interaction and friendship among the estimated 800 athletes from 26 countries where Croatian diaspora communities are located. 

Team Canada bocce ladies silver medal winners

“We are especially proud of the fact that more than half of our Team Canada athletes and their families came to Croatia for the first time to participate in the Games. 

Team Canada Cross County team

“Numerous members of Team Canada are staying on to simply explore Croatia or to visit family and friends throughout the country as they complete their vacations. Our hope is that they fall even more in love with the homeland and make plans to visit again and often,” continued Spivak.

Team Canada basketball bronze medal winners

Team Canada extends its congratulations and gratitude to the Croatian World Congress and all country coordinators for organizing a successful 5th Croatian World Games and looks forward to competing in the 6th Games scheduled to be held in 2027.