President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee Dušan Simonović, after the Games of Small Countries of Europe in Andorra, where our athletes won 36 medals and broke the record from Budva in 2019, said that Montenegro will use the experience from Andorra as a basis for preparations for major international competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
With two team and eight individual sports, Montenegro won 12 gold, 13 silver and 11 bronze medals, a total of 36.
Our country represented itself in two team and eight individual sports.
- First of all, I would like to congratulate our athletes on their great performance at the Games of the Small Countries of Europe in Andorra. The results were very good, with a record harvest of medals. But, apart from that, this is something that should represent the Olympic spirit and for our boys and girls to feel that Olympic spirit. I think that can best be done at a competition like this. Because, unfortunately, many of our athletes will not have the chance to participate in the big Olympic Games. But these are the Olympic Games in miniature. And for me, the real Olympic spirit and original Olympism are contained in the Games of the Small Countries of Europe. I love this competition, it is good for self-confidence, gaining significant experience, for getting used to it, and some of our athletes used the appearance at the Games for the performances that lie ahead of them.
Besides on the battlefields, our athletes were exemplary in other segments as well.
- I can say with pleasure that they were not only great on the field, but also in other segments. We didn't have any significant injuries, there were some minor ones that our medical team dealt with on the fly. I feel gratitude, respect and congratulations to all those who contributed to our sports delegation really looking like this.
The goal was also met because younger competitors also presented themselves, and the medals are the crowning glory of the story from Andorra.
- We were the smallest delegation in terms of numbers, with 66 members, while the teams of some countries had over 300 participants. When the number of medals won is compared to the number of athletes, I believe that we are among the most successful. But we do not only aspire to that. These are our athletes, and we have seen that the Chinese, French, Italians, Spaniards, and great athletes, competed for some countries. In fact, we wanted, with the agreement of the Federations, our athletes to participate in the Games, something that is originally ours. Perhaps in the future, we should take care that these are mainly young athletes who are just starting to win medals and achieve results in major competitions.
Montenegro does not participate in the IMZE with the most trophy-laden sports, which means that our team would be more competitive.
- Montenegro does not participate in the Games of Small Countries of Europe with all of its most successful sports teams, which means that in a larger composition our national team would have even greater competitive potential. This time, the selections in men's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, water polo, and handball did not participate, but despite this, participation in the Games represents a significant incentive for the further development of Montenegrin sports.
Andorra has shown how important sport is to them and that the number of medals won is absolutely irrelevant. They are a good example, even as a small country, of how sport can and must function.
- What I consider a serious challenge is the existing model of financing sports in Montenegro. It is necessary to systematically approach reforms that would encompass the entire sports community - from top athletes to youth selections. Of particular concern is the fact that the national teams that are soon preparing to compete at the European Championship do not have even the basic means for hygiene and preparation. We cannot expect athletes to give their maximum in the national team jersey for the symbolic amount of 300 euros and with a delay in payment. Such a situation is neither sustainable nor fair. We must, as a society, create conditions that enable athletes to dedicate themselves to their calling in a serious, professional and dignified manner. As a positive example, I can highlight Andorra, as a small but exceptionally well-organized country that does not condition sports on the number of medals won. Their presence at the Games of the Small Countries of Europe is constant and dedicated, regardless of the result. In that country, sport is part of the educational system, strategically supported, and recognized as an activity of national importance. I believe that it would be of utmost importance for Montenegro to have a similar status for sport and to regulate it through long-term, sustainable support mechanisms, with a clear vision of development. This is not a matter of choice, but of necessity if we want to maintain and improve the results and values that sport brings to the entire society.
IMZE records were broken, some by our competitors, which rounded off a beautiful story.
- Miloš Milenković broke two records in swimming, and we also had some surprises. We had a chance for more medals, at least five, six, and a few gold ones that were almost seen. But this is sport, nothing is guaranteed, that's why it is interesting and unpredictable. There will be more great results, good competitors, on a much bigger stage in the future, and we will follow these Games in a quality way in order to prepare our athletes for major competitions - said the President of the MOC.
- These Games are over, but for us they are just the beginning. We will use the experience we have gained here as a basis for preparations for major international competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We have the athletes, we have the knowledge, we also need to provide them with systemic support. The Small Countries Games reminded us that success does not depend on numbers, but on spirit and vision. It is time to translate that vision into systemic support, because sport is not an expense, but an investment in the future – said Simonović.
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