Montenegrin flag raised at the Olympic Village

Montenegrin flag raised at the Olympic Village

At festive ceremony held on 7th August at the Olympic Village in Beijing Montenegrin flag was raised.

Ceremony started at 7 o’clock PM local time, at special square with amphitheatre, very close to the Mayor of the Village house, built in typical Chinese style. Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović and his wife Svetlana were also present at the ceremony. Beside Montenegrin flag, on that occasion were also raised flags of Slovenia, India, Uruguay and San Marino.

Officials from mentioned states, including Montenegro, sat in central part of amphitheatre, across big covered stage.

Delegations with athletes sat at precisely determined seats.

Entrance in amphitheatre was ceremonial, with Chinese girls carrying inscription of the country whose delegation she lead.

Mayor of the Village, Mrs. Liu Kui addressed the present in English.

“It is my great honor to welcome you here at the Olympic Village. Here you will gain big Olympic Games experience, high technology Games. I hope you will feel like home, because we gave our best to make it that way. Here, people are learning about mutual solidarity by meeting representatives of different ethnicities. I wish you to enjoy sport success”, said Mayor of the Olympic Village.
 

Each flag was raised by sounds of national anthem. Before listening to anthems followed by raising of flags, Mayor of the Village and Chefs de Mission exchanged presents. Our Chef de Mission, Miodrag Ivanović, handed to Mrs. Liu set of Montenegrin golden Perpers, while Montenegrin Olympic Committee and other National Olympic Committees received big Chinese plate made of ceramics with two painted pigeons, symbolizing peace.

Beside our Olympic athletes, at the ceremony were also present President of Montenegrin Olympic Committee Dušan Simonović, Secretary General of Montenegrin Olympic Committee Đorđije Kustudić, Ministaer of Culture, Sport and Media in the Government of Montenegro Branislav Mićunović, his Deputy for Sport Dragan Drobnjak, President of Boxing Association of Montenegro Božidar Vuksanović and Secretary General of Water polo and Swimming Association of Montenegro Dejan Adžić.

Our delegation was accompanied by Chargé d'affaires in Embassy of Montenegro Ljiljana Tošković.

During the ceremony, water polo players had training, but selector Petar Porobić was present.
After the ceremony, everybody left to Olympic canteen for dinner, and after dinner to visit our offices at the Olympic Village.

Text and photo: G. B.

Indescribable moment

“This is something happening once in history. I can’t describe my happiness for being the President of Montenegrin Olympic Committee during the first participation of Montenegrin athletes under Montenegrin flag at the Olympic Games, and for being able to see Montenegrin flag at the Olympic Village raised among other flags. This is indescribable moment. I am especially satisfied for we have quality sport team representing us, whereby I particularly allude water polo players”, said the President of Montenegrin Olympic Committee Dušan Simonović for Arena.