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🇭🇷 Croatia /Culture & Society

Olympic Swimmer Gordan Kožulj Publishes Children's Book on Water Safety

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Croatian Olympic swimmer Gordan Kožulj has published his first children's book, "Let's Swim Together."
  • The book aims to teach children about water safety and the importance of swimming as a life skill, not just a sport.
  • Kožulj expressed concern that many children in Croatia, a country surrounded by water, do not know how to swim.

Gordan Kožulj, a celebrated Croatian swimmer with Olympic, world, and European titles, has ventured into a new arena by publishing his first children's book, "Zaplivajmo zajedno" (Let's Swim Together). Published by Naklada Ljevak and illustrated by Maja Biondić, the book uses characters Tom and Gloria to introduce children to the aquatic world, emphasizing the joys and life-saving importance of swimming.

Swimming is a big part of my life. It brought me a sports career, education, travel, experiences, and many life lessons. But when you move away from professional sports, you realize that it is primarily a basic, civilizational skill that can save a life.

· Gordan KožuljCroatian swimmer Gordan Kožulj on the fundamental importance of swimming.

Kožulj explained that the idea stemmed from a desire to present swimming not as a technical manual or a stern warning, but as an engaging story for children and parents. "Swimming is a big part of my life. It brought me a sports career, education, travel, experiences, and many life lessons," he said. "But when you move away from professional sports, you realize that it is primarily a basic, civilizational skill that can save a life."

He voiced particular concern about the high number of children in Croatia who cannot swim, despite the country's extensive coastline and numerous waterways. "When you add to that a country with seas, rivers, lakes, pools, and a strong sports tradition, it's clear there's room to talk about this topic more and more concretely. The picture book is my small contribution to that," Kožulj stated.

When you add to that a country with seas, rivers, lakes, pools, and a strong sports tradition, it's clear there's room to talk about this topic more and more concretely. The picture book is my small contribution to that.

· Gordan KožuljGordan Kožulj expressing concern about swimming proficiency in Croatia and his motivation for writing the book.

The book aims to help children overcome any fear of water while fostering respect for it. Kožulj hopes children will understand that learning to swim is a gradual process and that they too can learn. "If a child thinks after reading: 'I can learn that too,' then the picture book has fulfilled its purpose," he added, also hoping parents will find it a useful tool for discussing water safety.

If a child thinks after reading: 'I can learn that too,' then the picture book has fulfilled its purpose.

· Gordan KožuljGordan Kožulj on the desired outcome for child readers of his book.
About this summary

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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