There are only few days remained to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but everything we will witness there might also affect look of one part of Split. If prognosis come true, and tradition continues, popular promenade at Western Riva (locally Zapadna obala) might see changes of plates with names of Olympic medal winners who were born in Split, or were members of different clubs in Split. There are no less than 73 names on this Olympic Walk of Fame, and that makes Split true capital of Croatian sport. Some say there is no another city in the world with so many medal bearers per capita. It's hard to check that, but it's highly probable.

If you walk Western Riva toward ACI Marina, you can witness some of the most beautiful and the most glorious stories of Croatian and world sports, in chronological order. It all began in London in 1948, with silver medals won by footballers Bernard Vukas, Frane Matošić and Božo Broketa. First gold came in 1952 won by rowers of VK Gusar, and then follow great names of water polo, swimming, basketball, rowing, tennis, weight lifting, handball, and athletics. Among them, there are 15 athletes with two medals. Full list is available here.

Rio might continue this tradition, because there are a number of athletes from Split in Croatian Olympic expedition. The biggest hopes are sailors Tonči Stipanović and Ivan Kljaković Gašpić, than always strong high-jumper Blanka Vlašić, Zaninović sisters in taekwondo... And then, we will invite you to celebrate their achievements at Riva, and on placing of new plates on Olympic Walk of Fame.

In case you are interested in more detailed learning about Split sport, you can visit the stadium of the city's biggest sport institution HNK Hajduk. Also, basketball fans will love to see home of the KK Split (ex KK Jugoplastika), declared as the best team of 20th century by FIBA. Or, if you prefer tennis, visit seaside courts of TK Split at Firule, where four Top 10 players began their careers; Nikola Pilić, Željko Franulović, Goran Ivanišević and Mario Ančić.

Welcome to Split, city of sport!