Sports in Split

Athletes usually get high attention in Split, and the city is famous for being rich in world champions. The most popular sports in Split are football, basketball, tennis, swimming, boating, sailing, water polo, handball and track and field, and the most famous Croatian football club hejduk is located in this city. Torcida, the team's most famous fan organization, is also famous in Croatian football, and RNK Split is another football club in the city. The largest football stadium is Poliud Stadium, which is also the home of Split hejduk team and can accommodate 35, spectators (after renovation, the stadium capacity can reach 55,). Basketball is also the most popular sport in Split. KK Split, the city's basketball team, kept the record of winning the European Basketball League three times in a row from 1989 to 1991, and stars like toni kukoc and Dino Raja emerged in the team, both of whom are Split. Split's most famous tennis stars are retired former Wimbledon men's singles champion goran ivanisevic and Mario Ancic (nicknamed Super Mario). HVK gusar, a local rowing club, has produced many athletes who won medals in the Olympic Games and world championships. Swimming also has a long tradition in Split. Djurdjica Bedov, the 1-meter breaststroke champion and world record holder at the 1968 Olympic Games, and Vanya rogulj are the most famous swimmers in the city. As a member of ASK track and field club, Blanca Vlashic, the famous world champion of women's high jump, is also from Split. The biggest events ever held in Split were the 1979 Mediterranean Games and the 199 European Athletics Championships. Split is also one of the host cities of the 29 Men's Handball World Championships. In order to welcome this event, the city has built a new handball stadium-Spalla Dioum Stadium, which can accommodate 12, spectators. The funds for the construction of the stadium are shared by the Croatian government and the city of Split. Water volleyball (Picigin) is also a traditional local sport, which originated in 198 and is usually played on the famous beach of Batchwitz. In shallow water, five players from each side hit the ball in the air to prevent it from falling into the water. In the New Year, Split has a tradition of playing water volleyball, no matter what the weather conditions are, although the sea temperature at that time rarely exceeded 1℃. RK Nada is the most successful rugby club in the Balkans. It won the Yugoslav championship 11 times, and after Croatia became independent, it won the Croatian championship 14 times.