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Jakov Fak, Croatia’s best biathlon athlete who won bronze on Sunday in the Olympic men's 10-kilometre biathlon sprint at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, will compete for Slovenia from next year.

The news was disclosed by Fak’s Slovene coach Uroc Velepec on the same day that Fak won the medal.

The daily Vecernji list has reported it is part of a deal between the Croatian and Slovene Olympic Committees, for, otherwise, Fak would have had no opportunity to train.

Fak had no place to train in Croatia, and his talent was first recognized by Slovenes, so they provided him with a track for practice and other support. In return, he promised that he would compete for Slovenia from 2011.

Jakov has refused to comment on the news.

Croatian Olympic Committee head Zlatko Matesa has promised to do everything possible to keep Fak on the Croatian team.

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