Marina Tomić
A Slovenian hurdler who shattered national records and became a standard-bearer for her country's track and field ambitions.
Born 1983 (age 43)·Slovenian hurdler·Birthday: April 30·Millennials
Biography
Marina Tomić carved out a significant chapter in Slovenian athletics as a premier hurdler in the 2000s. Specializing in the 100-meter hurdles, she combined explosive power with a technician's focus on the ten barriers in her path. Tomić's career was a testament to perseverance, as she consistently represented Slovenia on the biggest stages, including the Olympic Games and World Championships. Her legacy is etched in the Slovenian record books, where she held the national record for years, pushing the limits of what was thought possible for athletes from her nation. While an Olympic final eluded her, her presence at that level inspired a generation of younger Slovenian sprinters and hurdlers to aim for the global stage.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Marina was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Marina Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Marina's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Held the Slovenian national record in the 100-meter hurdles for over a decade.
- Competed in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
- Represented Slovenia at multiple World Athletics Championships throughout her career.
- Won numerous national championship titles in Slovenia in her signature event.
Did You Know?
She is married to Slovenian Olympic high jumper Rožle Prezelj.
Tomić studied economics at the University of Ljubljana.
She began her athletic career as a heptathlete before focusing solely on the hurdles.
“The hurdles are there to be attacked, not negotiated.”
