From the end of the world, from Adelaide, Australia, came the eagerly awaited news - Milivoj Dukić won 21st place at the World Championship and won his fourth consecutive participation in the Olympic Games.
The brilliant Novljanin used the second of four chances to win another appearance at the biggest show of world sports. If he failed, he would have had the possibility to do it at the European Championships in Athens in February or in Jerez, France in April, but now he has completed all the formalities and can prepare in peace for the performances from July 28 to August 8 in Marseille. which will host the sailing competition.
- At the European Championship, two visas will be distributed, as well as three more in France, for which all the nations of the world will apply, but it means a lot to me that I have already finished my work. I believed and expected to be able to do it here, it was definitely a big relief. Now I can prepare for the season and the Games themselves in peace - Dukić told "Vijesti".
The guy who started his Olympic story as a 19-year-old in London was a real pioneer of this sport in Montenegro. Sailing is expensive, the favorites are competitors from countries that have tradition and all possible conditions, and Dukić paved the way not only for himself, but also Ilija Marković, who won 39th place in Adelaide, Nikola Golubović...
- The big thing is that a small country like Montenegro has continuity of participation in the OI and fourth consecutive placement. Maybe I'm not even aware of how significant it is. It's great that both Ilija and I fought for the norm, and the fact that we both finished in the gold group, among the top 50, says a lot. There were many more competitors from other countries, five-six or more each, so it was really demanding to fight with all of them. I am satisfied, Ilija also did a great job and I am happy that he will take over the baton of something that has been under construction for many years. That gives me satisfaction.
There was no place at the Olympic Games in Paris for both Montenegrins. The rules are such that only one competitor per country has the right to perform in Marseille.
- Such is the sport, only one can go per class. It is quite ungrateful, but everything that passes these years will certainly mean a lot to Ilija in every sense. The path is already made and he can follow it, the important thing is that he doesn't have to break through the ice by himself. A clear story has been made, and he is a good worker, he has made a lot of progress and it is good that everything is going according to the expected dynamics - emphasized Dukić.
And the Olympic future for the native of Tivat, who celebrates his 22nd birthday in February, could arrive in Los Angeles in 2028, because the guy who will equal the water polo player's feat with his fourth participation in the Olympics Draška Brguljana i Aleksandar Ivović plans to say goodbye to sailing in Marseille.
- I think I will complete the trip with my fourth participation in the Games. I have given a lot to sailing, I have sacrificed a lot and I will probably complete my story as far as competitive sailing is concerned. I haven't decided definitively yet, but I think this is it. I have good physical predispositions, I could continue to "push", but young people are coming and they need to be provided with help. I will certainly be of service to them, whether I am in competitive sailing or not.
It will be easier for Marković, Golubović and everyone who comes after them than it was for the 30-year-old Novljan when he started.
- Sailing is very demanding, I am grateful that there are people who recognized my desire and willingness to work. Of course, it was incomparably more difficult for me compared to competitors from countries that have a legacy in top sailing and sports in general, in the approach itself. My path and theirs are not to be compared, it was much more difficult for me to break this route than for everyone else. It will be easier for Ilia, Nikola and others who want to try sailing than for me, because they already have someone to ask for advice and know what awaits them. Everyone, of course, has to follow their own path, but it is important that there is a serious system.
It is easier to make a good result at the Olympic Games than at the World Championships, because the best countries are limited to one competitor each. Dukić achieved his greatest success so far in Tokyo, when he won 17th place, but in Paris, that is Marseille, he has much bigger goals.
- I think I am absolutely competitive for the very top in Marseille. At the previous Games, I had a different preparation and approach, and now I have continuity from the previous year, which is also shown by the A Olympic norm. I'm going to fight for medals, I have the quality for that. I know I don't have a lot of credit compared to these countries which are at a very high level and have been at the very top for decades, but I will try to do my job as best as I can in every training session. I showed that I can deal with the best, nuances always decide - concluded Dukić optimistically.
I don't decide who carries the flag, but I would be honored
The first Montenegrin who won the norm for the Games of the 33rd Olympiad has all the prerequisites to carry the flag with the golden double-headed eagle. Dukić, however, is modest and does not want to impose himself.
- It's not up to me to decide on that. There are other top athletes who will win the norm for Paris, primarily water polo players and handball players. But, if I were elected, it would be an honor for me to represent Montenegro in that way and carry the flag at the opening of the Olympic Games.
The conditions in Adelaide were demanding, everything I worked on paid off
How difficult it was at the World Championship in Adelaide is also shown by the fact that the wind was blowing over 25 knots (46 kilometers per hour), that the waves were over two meters high... The sun was very strong, as evidenced by Dukić's tanned complexion , which was visible during a video interview for "Vijesti", which took place around three hours after midnight in the capital of South Australia.
- Really, the whole week was very demanding because of the conditions. The regattas were about 60 minutes long, and there were two of them a day. It was quite warm, everything was really exhausting. The waves and the wind tested the capabilities of all sailors, and it was clear that I was extremely well prepared and everything we had done in the past period paid off.
Bonus video:
