Medjimurje County is the sportiest region in Croatia thanks to brilliant individuals and organisations, prefect Marija Posavec said on Friday at the hoisting of the "Medjimurje - European Region of Sport 2022" flag in Cakovec.

The flag outside the county building was hoisted by gymnast Filip Ude, a silver medalist in the men’s pommel horse at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, who is now  the “Medjimurje – European Region of Sport 2022” ambassador. As of 1 January, this northern county will be the first in Croatia to have this prestigious title.

Posavec said the county had 426 sports organisations as well as over 15,000 registered and over 6,000 active athletes. “We have phenomenal individuals achieving top results.”

He called on all athletes and sport organisations and clubs to show the whole world that Medjimurje County deserved the title.

Posavec also said he wished the county to be promoted through sports.