Dušan Simonović Intreview for IOC internet magazine

It's a great pleasure to become member of the Olympic family and movement which, thaks to enthusiasm and great devotion, such humane and universal idea, exists since ancient times up to day. All of us have been waiting this day for long time. Therefore, all of us involved in sport, who work for benefit of sport in our country, including the public as a whole, are more than proud and happy for this day, the day whrn the Montenegrin Olympic Committee will become part of the world Olympic family.

Our ambitions in this direction existed for long time, but we were, unfortunately, obstructed by certain administrative obstacles.

What is really important for us at this moment, is that that day has come, the day I personally have dreamed for long time, dream that the Montenegrin Olympic Committee is reckonised by the IOC, big, actually, the biggest planetary sport family!

That cognition makes me very happy nad proud.

2. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CELEBRATE IT? IS THERE ANY SPECIAL EVENT SCHEDULED IN THE COUNTRY?

Recognition by the IOC is special event for every country, which, by many things exceeds sport limits. By my opinion, and I think I'm not being exessive, for one country this is more important event after the event of aception in the United Nations. We in Montenegro treat it that way.

Therefore, according to that, we are preparing to celebrate it in adequate way.

In days following the proclamation, we are planning to organise big reception for all Montenegrin officials, including representatives from the Government, political, cultural and public life of Montenegro, as well as representatives from the Diplomatic core. Of course, on first place, there will be top athletes, winners of the Olympic medals, World and European Championships medal winners, talented athletes and sport workers from the counrty and from abroad.

We have also planed to organise one sport event, and our creative team is currently working on this idea and estimates right timing, and in accordance to consultations with athletes and sport workers, it will be decided about the time when this event will be realised.

3. WHAT WILL BE YOUR MESSAGE TO THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT?

Montenegro approached the IOC with open arms and open heart. We wish our country to be active and useful member of the world Olympic family. We wish to spread the spirit of Olympism all over our country.

On the other hand, as we all know, Montenegro, even though being small geographically, has great sport potentials and so far it has given large number of outstanding athletes. With our new status, we believe that our successes will be even greater.

We from the National Olympic Committee, in cooperation with our colleagues from the IOC, are at their constant disposal to give them all our support.

I would like to say that Montenegro, i.e. its Olympic Committee will give its full contribution in the international Olympic movement, and that it will work with joint forces on full affirmation and development of sport, in accordance with Olympic principles, i.e. the Olympic Charter of the IOC.

4. WHAT ARE THE FEELINGS OF THE MONTENEGRIN PEOPLE?

Important characteristic of my people is strong feeling of pride in all occasions, and grat devotion to their own country. Perhaps it is more obvious through sport, through support our athletes have when they compete in big event.

I thik that this feeling was intensified in the last year, from the moment our athletes compete under their own flag and anthem. That's why we are all more than happy for this recognition by the IOC, because it will deepen these feelings even more. This feeling is being shared, not only by us working here in the MOC, but it is also recognised by the State of Montenegro acting through its Ministry of sport, which takes care about its athletes and considers sport as exceptional resource.

Withal, we are nation who loves sport and watches sport, not only our but international, as well. I think that average Montenegrin is very well informed about events going on in Europe and world, and that he watches it with great interest and concern. Cognition that next year they will see their national team marching in Beijing, is something that fulfills every citizen of Montenegro with kind of special pride.

5. AND WHICH ARE THE IMMEDIATE PLANS OF THE NOC AFTER RECOGNITION?

So, since we have gained our independence, we have been preparing for this moment. Currently, we are engaged with preparations for EYOF, which will be the first sport event organised under the Olympic patronage, on which Montenegrin athletes will participate for the first time.

Afterwards, we are facing Universiad in Banghok and Olympic Games in Beijing. These are all the tasks that are our responsibility and excitement. Besides that, we have to strengten our professional team within the MOC, meaning by human resources, than we have to solve the issue of financing, to intensify cooperation with NOC's from surrounding countries, to make cooperation with the IOC as direct as possible, to work on legal infrastructure and better positioning of our Committee, to work on creation of Montenegrin Olympic pool, promoting activities towards Olympic games, etc.

6. WHAT CAN YOU DELIVER TO THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT TO HELP YOU IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT IN THE COUNTRY?

We, actually, only now started to exist on the Olympic world map, and I guarantee that we will justify our role in the Olympic Movement, as big as it will be, in the best possible way. We will make efforts to give our contribution to overall affirmation of all principles and goals proscribed by the Olympic Charter of the IOC, because membership in the IOC is our great wish, which has now come true. We expect hela and support from the IOC. We will apply for projects which we consider important for development of sport and affirmation of Olympism in Montenegro. We expect membership in the Olympic family to give us additional stumulation. We will be very present on the Olympic sport scene.

7. IN ALMOST A YEAR FROM NOW, THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING YOU MARCHING ON THE OLYMPIC STADIUM IN BEIJING. I'M SURE YOU'VE DREAMT OF THIS MOMENT FOR A LONG TIME. HOW ARE YOU PREPARING YOURSELF, THE NOC AND THE SPORTS COMMUNITY FOR THIS MOMENT?

For all of us in Montenegro this will be very important day. We have waited for this day so long and we are happy to see it coming.

Idea of participation in the Games Ceremony creates a feeling of certain exaltation. Even those who are not so interested in sport, become speachless just looking at those pictures on TV screen. But, real preparations are to begin. I am aware that we are late in relation to those countries which have started with preparations for this event earlier, but I am sure that preparations for the Games, for us, don't represent just a routine.

Just appearance in Beijing, without any doubt, represents historical moment for Montenegro.

For sure, we will try to increase number of members of our delegation in future Games, especially number of athletes.

8. SINCE THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN BARCELONA, NEW BALKAN NOCS HAVE EMERGED IN EVERY OPENING CEREMONY… SIX TEAMS, SIX FLAGS WILL REPLACE THE FORMER YUGOSLAV SQUAD…

It is the fact we got used to. I believe that international sport public got used to it, too. I can only express my regrets because neither one of the evnts following the creation of each country was not in a spirit of tolerance nourished by the Olympic movement. In the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, we wish prosperity and progress to all National Olympic Committes which used to be joined in the Yugoslav Olympic Committee. Those days have had their golden moments and I believe that in all new countries they are proud of contribution of their athletes in every moment of ex-Yugoslav sport Olympic glory. National Olympic Committes from the surrounding countries and from the Region, so far have given to us their support, we know each other persoanlly, with most of them I'm in excellent friendly realtions, and I know that there is interest, not only for communication, but also for joint work on some projects.

9. AFTER SO MANY YEARS SHARING (AND CONTRIBUTING TO) THE SUCCESS OF THE YUGOSLAV OLYMPIC SQUAD, DON'T YOU FEAR SOME FRUSTRATION IF THE NOC IS NOT ABLE TO DELIVER RESULTS SOON?

Of course, dream of every athlete is participation to Olympic Games. Winning of the Olympic medal is more than dream. For National Olympic Committee, successful participation of athletes on the Games is important. But, I would dare to say that it is not always primary.

In Montenegro, under our auspice, there are more than 35 sport associations, with more than 800 registered sport clubs. For all of them, we are becomming even more relevant address. Together with state institutions in Montenegro, we have to work together on development of our sport, on all levels. Withal, Olympic Games are not the only segment of the Olympic Movement.

For that reason, I wouldn't call it a fear. We are realistic, but we are looking in the future with great optimism, and we are not without ambitions. Montenegrin sport significance has never been in direct proportion with its size. I believe it won't be in the future, as well.

Even though you haven't asked me, I will allow myself this freedom to remind you that Montenegro, in that time internationally recognised state, since the famous Berlin Congress 1878. until the end of the World War I, has followed all events in that time young International Olympic Committee.

One year after foundation of the IOC, Montenegrin literary journal „LUČA“, in June edition of 1895., describes in detail foundation of modern Olympic Games and asks question about participation of athletes from Montenegro:
"Therefore, Montenegro, famous for its heroism, Montenegro, which is similar to Greece by blood, by religion, by temper, by customs, by climate, by character, by patriotism, by heroism. Would it be right to stay neutral in its extraodinary ceremony accepted and offered by Americans and the rest of the world with biggest rapture. Montenegro – new Sparta – would it be fair not to participate in this ceremony taking place on the earth of old Sparta? Wasn't Fundina and Vučji do for Montenegro same as Marathon field and Plathea for Greece? Wasn't Montenegrin fiddler, Greek Omir? Montenegrins – new Spartans – wouldn't it be fair to allow them show themselves as indifferent to the ceremony of the ancient Spartans offsprings? It wasn't, actually. Wasn't Montenegrin's famous game: throwing the stones from the shoulder, wrestling, jumping, running, folks games and so on? Wasn't this also famous game of ancient Greeks?"

Unfortunately, on first modern Games in Athens, we weren't present. Neither on one so far. Quoted text, published just before modern Games, explaines how strong that desire was, so it is quite clear what are our feelings today, when we are facing realization of this dream.