Posted: June 5, 2005

Athletics: Slovenian Olympian, Three Others Killed In Automobile Accident

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

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Slovenian Olympian Matic Šušteršic and two other athletes were killed in an automobile accident early Sunday morning in Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital.

Šušteršic, 25, from Ljubljana, Patrik Cvetan, 23, from Trebnje, and Nejc Lipnik, 17, from Velenje, died instantly at 4:27 this morning from injuries sustained during a head-on collision. Four others-- Boštjan Cernigoj, Maša Kavcic, Anja Music and Sergey Šalamon-- all athletes competing at this weekend's final of the Slovenian Cup competition in Ljubljana, were also seriously injured the accident. According to police reports, excessive speed was cited as the accident's cause.

In light of the tragedy, The AZS, Slovenia's national federation, cancelled today's second day of competition of the Slovenia Cup Final.

Šušteršic, a member of Slovenia's 400 meter relay squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, was among the country's top sprinters. A member of the national team at the 2001, 2003 and 2004 World Indoor Championships as well as the 2000, 2002 and 2005 European Indoor Championships, Šušteršic was the fourth fastest Slovenian in the 100 meters, with a career best of 10.36. Indoors, he was the third fastest ever in the 60 meters, with a personal best of 6.67. He last competed yesterday at the Slovenia Cup Final as part of the MASS club's winning 400 meter relay squad.

Cvetan, also a sprinter, was a teammate of Šušteršic for the same Ljubljana club. Lipnik, a hurdler and long jumper, was the runner-up at this year's indoor Under-18 national championships in the 60 meter hurdles.

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