[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 31 (Monday, March 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E369-E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JANICA KOSTELIC

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 18, 2002

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Janica Kostelic 
for her spectacular performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
  Ms. Kostelic is a 20 year-old young lady from Croatia who won four 
medals (three gold and one silver) during the Olympics in Salt Lake 
City. In celebration, her home country has placed her picture on a 
postage stamp. Over 100,000 people gathered to meet Janica upon her 
return to Zabreg, Croatia. People missed work and schools canceled 
classes so they could greet the newly dubbed ``Snow Queen''. This 
skiing sensation finished two runs in 2 minutes, 30.01 seconds. Janica 
is the first Alpine skier to win four medals at a single Winter 
Olympics. She won gold in the giant slalom, the slalom, and the 
combined event, and silver in the super giant slalom; she was the only 
Croatian to win a medal. Janica's brother, Ivica, also competed at the 
2002 Winter Olympics.
  The Kostelic family has endured many setbacks whole trying to support 
their children's Olympics aspirations. Their country only has two ski 
resorts, so the family had to travel

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around Europe often sleeping in their car and living on salami and 
pickle sandwiches. Their tremendous efforts and fortitude, however, 
paid off tremendously for Janica and Ante, her father and coach. the 
family made many sacrifices, but their willpower allowed for Janica's 
incredible victories.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Janica Kostelic on her 
outstanding achievements at the 2002 Winter Olympics. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Kostelic and her family many more 
years of continued success.

                          ____________________