The National Olympic Committee of Slovenia was founded on 15 October 1991 and provisionally granted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 17 January 1992 before it was fully recognized on 5 February 1992 at the IOC session in Courchevel. Prior to 1992, Slovenia had never competed at the Olympics as a sovereign nation. However, many Yugoslav athletes were natives of Slovenia, notablyLeon Štukelj (from Maribor) who won, between 1924 and 1936, more medals (six) and gold medals (three) than any other Yugoslav Olympian. Slovenia was also responsible for all ofYugoslavia’s medals in the Olympic Winter Games between 1984 and 1988.

Slovenia made its Olympic début at both Albertville and Barcelona in 1992, after the break-up of Yugoslavia. It has since competed at all editions of the Olympic Games (Summer or Winter). To date, it has won 52 medals, with 12 golds (of which 24, and four golds, were earned at the Winter Olympics).

With four medals in Alpine skiing and two golds,Tina Maze has been the most decorated Slovenian athlete. Maze was the first Slovenian Olympian, Winter or Summer, with two gold medals. Her four medals are closely followed by rowerIztok Čop (one gold, one silver, and two bronze) and by ski jumperPeter Prevc (one gold, two silver, and one bronze). The next Slovenians with two gold medals at the Winter Olympics were ski jumper:Urša Bogataj and sport climberJanja Garnbret. (Of note, Urša Bogataj is not related to Slovenian ski jumper Vinko Bogataj ofWide World of Sports fame.)