The third edition of the European Games - a sort of Olympic festival on the Old Continent - begins tomorrow, with the opening ceremony at the "Henrik Reyman" stadium in Krakow.
After the premiere in Baku in 2015, and the Games in Minsk four years ago, over 6.500 sportsmen and women will perform in Poland, more precisely in Lower Poland (Małopolska), a voivodeship (province), whose center is Krakow, a city of over 700.000 inhabitants.
They will compete in 29 sports, mostly individual (of the team sports, only rugby 7 and basketball 3X3 are on the program), and competitions in 10 sports have great value - an Olympic visa for Paris in 2024.
Among the team sports that are on the EI program, athletics could also be included, because the European team championship is held in the city of Horzów, at the Silesia stadium.
48 national selections participate, which are traditionally divided into three divisions - in the last one is the Montenegrin team, whose members open the European Games.
The first disciplines are scheduled from today at 10 am, the day before the opening ceremony.
The Montenegrin team includes Marija Vuković, the current European vice-champion in the high jump, who is returning to the track after a break of about 40 days.
- I didn't train for a month, I didn't even run, but last week I worked as I should. I tried a few jumps, no pain, but I don't know what to expect. This is a rehearsal for some bigger competitions, but I would like to jump as high as I can, first of all for my "head", but also to bring as many points as possible for the team - says Vuković. - So far I have not had any major injuries, this may be the first of its kind. Disrupt, but I have time to get back for the World Cup, which is in two months.
The World Championships in Budapest, which begin on August 19, are the most important event of the year in athletics. As the European runner-up, Marija has ambitions...
- I am good on the tables, but it would be good if I could confirm jumps of 195-196 centimeters, so that I could fight for a place in the finals and a better position. At this moment, the most important thing is that I feel good and that I can prepare well - concluded Vuković.
The competition in Poland as part of the European third division championship also marked the return of Kristina Rakočević, who has been in America since 2020, where she was building a college career, and at the same time (or primarily) received an education as a graduate psychologist at the University of Miami in Florida.
- Last year I was with the national team in Malta, at the competition of small countries, and the last time I performed at the European team championship was in 2015 in Baku - says the former junior world champion in discus throwing.
She studied, trained and competed in America.
- I left somewhat by force, because I couldn't connect everything here - I mean studies and sports, and the environment was more toxic than positive. It was difficult for me, both mentally and physically, I also had a back injury. It went downhill, I must admit. But I persevered and coped with everything, I had the support of my family, and now after three years I finally finished what I wanted. I immediately feel better, I expect progress in all fields - Kristina is honest.
When it comes to the results, she says that they are better than in previous seasons, maybe not what was expected of her, but still, you can see the progress...
- I throw over 55 meters, 55 and a half... - says Kristina, who points out that she will not give up athletics. - No, at least until Los Angeles in 2028. I'm not giving up on that dream.
He is not giving up on his academic career either.
- I plan to enroll in master's studies, in order to later do psychotherapy. Where? I still do not know. I will also talk to people from ASCG, to try to find something that is best for me and for our athletics - Kristina concluded.
Danijel Furtula has already fulfilled his Olympic dreams three times - London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. But the 30-year-old man from Mojkov also wants a fourth "round", in a year in Paris.
- It would be a phenomenal success, and the ambitions and motive are as they are - says Furtula.
The fight for Paris will be a huge challenge, because the norm in discus throwing has been moved from 66 to even 67,20 meters, and today's "discobolos" of the elite rank often throw over 70 meters.
Furtula's best result is 65,59 from 2021.
- The boundaries are moving, it's an incredible level. We, who are below those distances, have to train as best as we can and, based on the ranking list, make it to the OI. As things stand now, that is the only option - Furtula is realistic.
Ten representatives in Poland
In addition to male and female athletes, the Montenegrin sports delegation at the European Games consists of 10 representatives.
Zinedin Bećović (up to 68 kg, June 24) and Anđela Berishaj (up to 73 kg, June 26) will perform in taekwondo, in karate Vladimir Mijač (kate, June 22), in shooting Nevena Saranović and Anđela Miličković (air pistol 10 meters, June 22), in boxing Bojana Gojković (up to 54 kg, 1st round June 23), Petar Marčić (up to 80 kg, 1st round June 24) and Stefan Savković (up to 71 kg, 1st round June 25), and the last competitors in taekbol will be on the court - Marko Žarković will play in singles on June 29, and two days later in doubles with Andrija Jovanović.
Bonus video:
