The Montenegrin Olympic Committee has signed agreements on scholarship support for athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle.
This officially marked the beginning of a new Olympic journey, in which athletes were reaffirmed as the center of the work and vision of the MOC.
"The selection of scholarship recipients is based on international results achieved during 2023 and 2024, as well as on the principles of universality and inclusiveness," MOC announced.
The scholarship holders will be supported by monthly grants from the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Olympic Solidarity program for the next three years, until the start of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
These funds are intended to cover part of the costs of preparations for performances at the world's largest competitions, especially the Olympic Games.
Scholarships were provided for 13 athletes from nine individual sports, eleven of which through Olympic Solidarity.
For the current summer Olympic cycle, scholarships will be awarded to athletes who, with their results and dedication, represent the pillar of the Montenegrin Olympic team: Milivoj Dukić (sailing), Marija Vuković (athletics), Miloš Milenković (swimming), Bojana Gojković (boxing), Tomislav Đinović (boxing), Zinedin Bećović (taekwondo), Andrea Komatina (taekwondo), Jusuf Nurković (judo), Andrijana Šutović (judo), Ilija Marković (sailing) and Tei Nikčević (tennis).
These athletes are already recognized as the bearers of the greatest ambitions of our Olympic sport and symbols of dedicated work and struggle for top results.
Special funds were also provided for scholarships for talents - Miloš Božović (shooting) and Nina Dragović (gymnastics). Their results and performances confirm that Montenegrin sports have a broad base and potential worthy of attention and support.
"Our athletes are a mirror of Montenegro. They reflect our strength, youth and values. They are the voice of our country in a language that everyone understands - the language of sport. And they are not just competitors, but a symbol of what Montenegro is and what we want to be," said MOC President Dušan Simonović.
Addressing the audience on behalf of the scholarship recipient, sailor Milivoj Dukić, four-time Olympian and President of the MOC Sports Commission, expressed gratitude for the support and added:
"We know that without the support of our family, we would not have even taken our first steps in sports - every training session, every early morning, every return from a competition is spent together with those closest to us. It is also important to know that we have the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, our coaches and federations by our side, which enable us to continue building our careers."
The ceremony also presented a comprehensive program of preparations for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which MOC is implementing in cooperation with the companies Artift from Belgrade and FitRevolution from Nikšić, with the support of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and Olympic Solidarity. The partnership with SIRO Boka Place brings athletes the most modern methods of recovery, rehabilitation and training, and the entire program is focused on personalized development, care for mental and physical health and long-term endurance of our Olympians.
"Our task is not to be with you only when you win, but at every step - while you train, while you fight challenges and while you overcome obstacles. Because your strength and perseverance are equally valuable when they bring medals and when they build character, in both victories and trials," said Simonović.
Previously, scholarships were also provided for four young athletes who were declared the best in their categories in the previous year: Jelena Vukčević, Jovana Damjanović, Srđan Janović and Viktor Dukić.
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee is also thinking about the long-term perspective of winter sports in Montenegro, and will continue to provide scholarships to athletes Eldar Salihović, Aleksandar Grbović, Anastasija Vukasović, Branislav Peković and Bojan Kosić until the end of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
This creates continuity of support for athletes who, through their effort and perseverance, are building their path to competing at the largest winter sporting event.
For team sports, MOC will provide funds for preparations, as well as scholarships for athletes in team sports, through the team grant program, aware of the importance that team sports have in promoting Montenegro on the international stage.
Finally, as before, MOC will provide special funds for scholarships for coaches of potential participants in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, because without quality and dedicated coaching staff, there are no top results and continuity of success.
"This year alone, almost two-thirds of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee's budget has been directed directly and indirectly to athletes and federations - through scholarships and other forms of support for federation activities, participation in competitions, preparations and training. This is concrete proof that our priority has always been, and always will be, athletes," Simonović emphasized.
By awarding scholarships, the Montenegrin Olympic Committee once again confirms its strategic commitment to concretely improving the sports system of Montenegro, supporting the development of top athletes and providing encouragement to young talents.
This program represents not only financial assistance, but also a clear message to athletes that MOC and the entire sports community believe in them, follow their work, and want to be their strength on the path to success.
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee will continue to improve its support programs for athletes in the coming period, in accordance with its strategic documents and international Olympic standards, with the aim of ensuring that Montenegrin sport remains recognized on the regional, European and global sports scene.
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