ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes official statements and social media communication published by the Slovenian Olympic Committee from the start of Covid-19 until shortly after Slovenia became the first European country to proclaim the end of the epidemic at home on May 15, 2020. In addition to examining the data through the lens of Situational Crisis Communication Theory, the chapter looks into the government’s and the public’s reactions to the various forms of communication. The findings revealed in this chapter indicate that the committee successfully imposed its agenda and secured some government concessions despite failing to provide meaningful programs or resources aimed at alleviating the impact of the lockdown on the general public or particular groups. The committee’s communication relied on generalities that were only partially accepted by the public, yet more broadly embraced by public media. The specific examples described in the chapter inform scholars and practitioners of public relations and crisis communication in sport, especially in countries outside North America and Western Europe.
