The Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COK) has officially started the promotion of the next Olympic Games in Herceg Novi with the sports and promotional event Montenegro's Road to Paris: Celebrating the Olympic spirit.
At the end of July and beginning of August next year, the French capital will host the best athletes in the world, among whom will be the Montenegrin delegation.
Montenegrin athletes, among whom were medal winners at the most important world competitions, socialized with children and promoted team spirit, the importance of playing sports, and the spread of Olympic values.
The organizer made it possible for the youngest visitors to develop their motor skills and learn about sports through play, teenagers to compete in a sports quiz and enjoy various sports activities and workshops.
All visitors had the opportunity to look at the photo gallery, which showed the Olympic path of Montenegro and the values of Olympism.
The golden Olympian, Igor Vušurović, reminded that the event was supposed to be held on July 26, the day when next year's Games in Paris will be officially opened, but that it was postponed due to the announcement of bad weather conditions.
Vušurović, who performs the function of general secretary of COK, said that the organizers of the Games are announcing a spectacle and an environment never seen before.
"All the opening ceremonies held so far were related to stadiums, and in Paris a cruise on the Seine will be held and all Olympic committees will have the opportunity to present their countries in the presence of between 500 and 600 thousand people, who will follow the event live," he said. Vusurovic.
According to his words, COK wanted to present the spirit of that July 26 and what lasts until August 11 of the following year to some extent to Herceg Novi, stating that it owes them thanks for their support in organizing the promotional gathering.
"That is the part we owe to Herceg Novi, which is known on the world map for the number of Olympians, especially considering the number of inhabitants. It is a matter of pride for the city and us that we promote Olympic values among the youngest and the old and socialize together, competing, talking with the youngest, said Vušurović.
A member of the champion water polo generation from Malaga, Draško Brguljan, believes that it is good to promote sport and the Olympic spirit in preparation for the most important sporting event.
"We need to motivate children to play sports, especially at a time when it is a little neglected and it is not easy to get serious results. We have to go back to older work systems, because the world is moving in the direction of mobile phones and computers taking over the game. This is a good opportunity to bring the importance of sports closer to children in an interesting way," said the multiple participant of the Olympic Games.
Brguljan believes that similar events should be organized in other cities of Montenegro.
"The idea of COK is good and similar events should be organized more often in all cities. Everything has changed, today children should be motivated to play sports. Its importance, not only professional, is huge, because work habits are acquired and healthy styles are created of life," Brguljan said.
Legendary handball player Katarina Bulatović said that this event is a unique opportunity for athletes to socialize with children of all ages and to introduce them to the importance of sports through play.
Bulatović, who led the Montenegrin national team to Olympic silver and European gold, said that the medal in London was the realization of her dreams.
"As far as I'm concerned, I could have ended my career already then, but of course sport is such that when we win something, we always want more. It was silver, so then we had bigger appetites, we wanted gold. In the end, that didn't happen. , but I really believe that as far as handball is concerned, we have great generations coming up and that we can certainly expect one of the medals in the near future," said Bulatović.
Bulatović, who after the end of her career assumed the position of sports director of COK, expects that the Montenegrin team for Paris will be numerous, even as at the transitional Games.
"I believe that we will be in the same number as we were until now. That is between about 40 and 50 athletes. I expect that with the joint efforts, with the support of the COC, the athletes will be able to get Olympic visas in Paris," said Bulatović.
Participant of the Games in Tokyo, handball player Nikolina Vukčević, said that it was a pleasure for her to participate and contribute to the promotion of the Games in Paris.
"The Olympic Games represent the greatest success for every athlete. If a medal is won, it is a career success," said Vukčević.
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