Beijing the first challenge

Last night in Podgorica, in Villa "Gorica" was held ceremony anent recognition of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee by the International Olympic Committee.

Addressing the present invitees, Montenegrin state officials and politicians, members of the Diplomatic Core, respectable Montenegrin businessmen, representatives of the media, members of the Assembly and the Executive Board of the MOC, meritorious Montenegrin athletes, Dušan Simonović, President of the MOC has said:

– Recognition of the Olympic Committe, i.e. entering of one country into the international Olympic family, is important event for every counrty. Event overcoming the limits of sport.

Maybe just in that fact lay reasons why Montenegro tried to open the door of the International Olympic Committee, permanently for more than a decade.

Unfortunately, it wasn't possible prior to our acception into the United Nations. So, after one year of that event, Montenegrin Olympic Committee was accepted by the IOC, and by this act, lot of opportunities for affirmation of our country and our sport have been opened.

Since long time ago, Montenegro has recognised the importance of joining the biggest sports association in the world. We can say that this aspiration of Montenegrins is more than one century old – said Simonovic.

He said that big step in this direction was made by foundation of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee in 1993.

– In this way, all former aspirations would syntesize, articulate in institutional way, in order to provide preservation and development of the idea of Olympism in our country. This became really important in last few years, when revival of Montenegrin independence was quite obvious.

In this period, during the Games in Athens 2004., we have managed to do lot of things concerning affirmation of Olympism in Montenegro, and I would dare to say, in the field of education, i.e presentation of this term to the public. Such strongly shown aspirations, were recognised by international sport institutions, and lot of National Olympic Committees, from whom we have received comliments for our initiatives, and often concrete suggestions and guidelines for further, and better work on affirmation of Olympism in Montenegro. They have very well understood our specific position, that our Committee was not internationally recogised, but on the other hand, they have understood our great sport and other potential, which could not be neglected.

In this period, and by great help from our friends, among all the Government of the Republic of Montenegro, from whom we have received unselfish help and support all this time, we have realised several project, smaller of bigger ones, which were of big importance for intensified affirmation of our sport, on internal and international plan. This was really important, since in that way, especially in international circles, Montenegrin sport became recognised as separate whole, which needed full attention, because this is the country with extraordinary sport potentials and which hase given great number of successful athletes in past few decades. For our athletes, especially the young ones, this meant a lot and gave them new satisfaction, new motivation for better results.

To our fortune, our position right now is very clear, our athletes now compete under their own flag, with their anthem.

Of course, all of us involved insports are heading towards big challenges. We are facing big international competitions, and next year, the biggest one – the Olympic Games.

Constitution of Montenegrin sport, as a separate internationally reckognised whole, to all of us represents excellent opportunity to show our actual capabilities. But, this status bring along lots of obligations, as well. I am sure that we have strenght for this, withal, I convinced myself by working in sport for decades, and I know that we have enough potential, concerning sports management and potential of athletes themselves.

From us working in the Montenegrin Olympic Committee everyone can expect help and support for their efforts. So far we have paid great attention to intensive communication and cooperation with associations and individuals, assissting them whenever possible. We intend to continue this in the future, as well, because our interest is clear and unique, which means that we wish our athletes from all sports to make better results, especially on international competitions. Therefore, with joint and planned efforts and common outburst, and together with expected assistance from the State, I believe that we will succeed and that from year to year, our sport will go in a progressive direction.

What is important, and waht is the subject of our gathering on this ceremony, is the fact that our years long ambition, our long dream has become reality. I am sure that Montenegrin sport will give quality contribution to the development of sport in general, and that Montenegrin Olympic Committee in the following years will be model member of international Olympic family, that it will promte and spread in right way the idea of Olympism in our country, and that it will be good friend and useful partner to other National Olympic Committees.
I know that in the following year we're expected to do a lot, especially concerning preparations for the Olympic Games in Beijing, and some other competitions.

The Games are closer each day, and I can say that we are intensively preparing for them, even during the reckognition process. Our athletes are gathering necessary norms and so I believe that our national team will count great number of athletes in China.

I am absolutely sure that we'll be able to respond to this challenge, just as our traditions requires, and just as the spirit of Olympism requres, which is close to our tradition and our understanding of life in general.

We, in the Olympic Committee, together with our coleagues and friends from the IOC, will be always at their disposal, enabling them to realise their sport ambitions and to affirm in the proper way.

Withal, Montenegro has given large number of the Olmypic medal winners. I bwlieve that there will be more of them, that on all Olympic Games we'll be happy and proud of our athletes holding their medals, and that together with them we'll be listening to our anthem and watching Montenegrin flas flounting on the Olympic spars all over the world – concluded Simonović.

ŠTURANOVIĆ: Promotion of Montenegro

Entitling the recognition of the Montenegrin Olympic Committe by the International Olympic Committee in Guatemala City on 7th July "the crown of the longlasting and worthy work of this organisation", Montenegrin Prime Minister Željko Šturanović, addressing the invitees has said:

– I see sport as one of the key elements of Montenegrin affirmation in the world. The acception into the IOC additionally commit all of us do dedicate ouselves in the development of sport, strenghtening of the sport federations and the Olympic Comiittee itself, in order to be respected and venerable in the world for our sport successes.

Montenegro is country of athletes, country of great potential in this area, country of cognizable sport personalities. Now, the most hard-working and most talented of them will have an opportunity to represent their own country, to compete heroically under their own flag, promoting values of their country and in that way act as ambassadors of the younges state in the world, our Montenegro. Is there any greater reckogition for one national sport federation than being an equal member of the united sport family?

This is the reason why the acception into the IOC is an event surpassing all sport frames. I see the reckognition from the Guatemala City as excellent chance for affirmation of Montenegrin potential – not just sport potentials, but touristic, cultural, economic…In one word, by this reckonition, the door for general promotion of Montenegro are wide open on the events of planetary importance, such as forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing 2008. Having in mind that all beginnings are difficult, I still believe that this forthcoming Olympiade will confirm the quality of Montenegrin sport, and good organisation pf the Montenegrin Olympic Committee.

Montenegro is perfectly aware of the fact that investment in sport is a good and payable investment, which multiply returns. Montenegro is is determined to continually improve necessary conditions for dinamic development of sport: we wish to create infrastructure according to highest international standards, we aspire to popularize sport, to support al initiatives and events in function of its development.

Šturanović also added that Montenegrin athletes and sport successes are inwrought in the reckognition from Guatemala.

– This is the right moment to suport todays generations of Montenegrin athletes who have the chance to popularize Montenegrin sport and state in general, more and sucefully than us, by their talent, results, dedication and heroic attitude. This is the moment for rewording the MOC, preceeded by Mr. Dušan Simonović, for other maritorious athletes and sport workers who have persited in fight for enabling worthy position for our sport, in society and on the international scene.

I deem it is truly natural that the Montenegrin Olympic Committee became equal member of the Internationa Olympic Committee. This is why: mission of the Olympic Games has always been refering to peace, liberty and openness. Aren't these the values Montenegro is dedicated to?

Colours of the Olympic Movement, ornaments which unite modern world better than any other, symbolize richness of the differencies. Aren't these signs of the multicultural essence of Montenegro? This is why I believe that the moment of rising the Montenegrin flag in the Olympic hights is not far away. So, let the affirmation of Montenegrin sport on international level be the project to pool all healthy strengths of our society in the future period.

At the end, Šturanović congratulated the MOC for the reckognition, and he wished Montenegrin athletes success on international competitions.