Dušan Zinaja

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameDušan•Zinaja
Used nameDušan•Zinaja
Other namesДушан Зинаја
Born23 October 1893 in Budapest, Budapest (HUN)
Died26 September 1948 in Poklek, Zagrebačka županija (CRO)
AffiliationsHAŠK, Zagreb (CRO)
NOC Yugoslavia
Nationality Croatia

Biography

Dušan Zinaja was a Croatian footballer, coach, and skier. He represented Yugoslavia in international football and at the Olympics.

Zinaja represented HAŠK Zagreb at club level. In June 1923, Zinaja made his one and only international appearance for the Yugoslavia national football team, against Romania in București. From September 1924 to November 1925 Zinaja was the coach of the national team, with the team playing three international matches.

Zinaja competed in two cross-country skiing events at the 1924 Chamonix Olympics. Zinaja competed in the 18 kilometres where he finished in 36th place. Zinaja took part in the 50 kilometres, but he did not finish the race. Zinaja was also the flag bearer for Yugoslavia at the Opening Ceremony.

During the early 1920s Zinaja worked as a journalist and an editor of a weekly sports magazine. In September 1948 Zinaja was killed in a car accident in Poklek. He was 54. Zinaja’s brother Branko was part of Yugoslavia’s football squad for the 1924 Paris Olympics, but did not play in any matches.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1924 Winter Olympics Cross Country Skiing (Skiing) YUG CRO Dušan Zinaja
18 kilometres, Men (Olympic) 36
50 kilometres, Men (Olympic) DNF

Other participations

Games Role NOC Nationality As
1924 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony YUG CRO Dušan Zinaja

Olympic family relations

Special Notes