Stanko Bloudek: life, work and legacy

On the initiative of the Municipality of Ljubljana, the Sports Museum will organise a permanent exhibition on Stanko Bloudek. Visitors can get a brief insight into it via the photo wallpaper entitled Stanko Bloudek: Life, work and legacy, which was installed at this year’s opening ceremony. It takes visitors through the milestones of Bloudek’s life, showcasing his versatility and the many interests, talents and skills he possessed. The exhibition announcement will be on display until the end of 2026, when it is expected to be replaced by the permanent exhibition itself.

Stanko Bloudek (1890–1959) was passionate about painting and art during his school years, but he later pursued a career in aviation. By the end of World War I, he had established an international reputation for himself. He designed aircraft, including military ones, before moving to the automotive industry. There, he worked on the development of a wide range of vehicles, from the motorcycles and buses to the first Slovenian passenger car. Through various technical solutions and inventions, he amassed a fortune, which he invested in various businesses and sports.

An avid sportsman, he tried his hand at many sports, including gymnastics, football, athletics and figure skating. He was the Slovenian discus throw champion and a multiple national (Yugoslav) figure skating champion. He also made an important contribution to the Ilirija sports club, bringing many innovations to our territory. He complemented his coaching and, above all, his organisational skills by holding important positions in various industry federations and the Yugoslav Olympic Committee. After World War II, he became a member of the International Olympic Committee on the proposal of the members of this important sports organisation.