Jure Franko

Jure Franko (born March 28, 1962 in Nova Gorica) is a Slovenian and Yugoslavian former alpine skier.

Franko's best performances in giant slalom and super giant slalom were shown in the 1983-84 season. On February 14, 1984 at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, on the Yugoslavian team, he was at the 4^th position after the first leg of the giant slalom. He had the fastest time of the second leg and only Max Julen from Switzerland had a better overall result than him. This silver medal was a first for Yugoslavia or Slovenia in the Winter Olympics and Jure became very popular in Yugoslavia; a popular saying in Sarajevo was "We like Jurek more than burek" ("Volimo Jureka više od bureka"). In the World Cup he wasn't as successful as some of his team mates. He won three top-three podiums for three 3^rd positions. In addition, he placed himself 23 times in the top ten, and additionally 11 times among the top 15. He quit skiing after the 1984-85 season.

In January 2006 he collaborated in 2006 Winter Olympic torch relay, his part was to relay the torch from Slovenia to Italy on the Slovenian-Italian border in Nova Gorica.

In January 2006 Jure Franko organised a trip for 43 socially weak children from Sarajevo, Nova Gorica and Gorizia to visit Giant Slalom event on the 2006 Winter Olympic games in Torino, Italy.

External links

* [http://www.olympic.org/uk/athletes/heroes/bio_uk.asp?PAR_I_ID=69486 IOC Athletes]
* [http://www.ski-db.com/db/profiles/frnju.asp Ski DB]
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