Ivanović Chef de Mission

This decision was brought on yesterday's session of the Executve Board of the MOC, moderated by Dušan Simonović, the President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee. Due to family and other reasons, previous Chef de Mission Boro Mračević was not able to stay on this position.

On the Agenda of yesterday's session the word was about the departure of Montenegrin representatives to EYOF, European Youth Olympic Festival, to be held from 22. to 28. July in Belgrade. On biggest eEuropean sports event, organised under patronage of the EOC, participants from Montenegro will be 10 judists, 5 athletes, two tennis players, 2 swimmers and 4 table tennis players aged 14 to 17. The Montenegrin Olympic Committe will pay for all cost of their stay in Belgrade

The EB has accepted the report on international activities of the MOC.

In the last period, most important event was presence of the Secretary General of the MOC, Đorđije Kustudić, on annual seminar organised for Secretaries General and Chefs de Mission, this year organised in Riga on 22. and 23. May. In the capital of Latvia was decided that Montenegrin athletes can participate in EYOF.

Kustuduć informed present about received invitation for responsible people in the MOC, to visit headquarters of the Olympic Solidarity in Lausanne, at the end of July or at the beginning of August. After the official reckognition in the IOC, in next few days in Guatemala City, Montenegro will be able to apply in the Olympic Solidarity for financing of about 20 projects.

From yesterday's session of the Executive Board of the MOC in Podgorica

Speaking about preparations in the MOC for Olympic Games in Beijing, Simonović has solved the dilemma about representatives from Montenegro in Guatemala City.

The practice in the IOC is that only members of the IOC are allowed to be present on its General Assembly, and about its decision on approval (rejection) of new National Olympic Committee into Association of National Olympic Committees, they are informed accordind to its rule book.

The Executive Board of the MOC has brought the decision on financial assistance to University Sports Association in amount of 17.500 euros, for preparations and participation to Universiade to be held in Banghok (half of all costs), from 10. to 18. August. Also, the reccommendation was given to the Assembly that Wrestling Association should be accepted into the MOC membership. International Wrestling Federation has recently promised to provide paricipation of one wrestler from Montenegro on te Olympic Gmes in Beijing, accordint to wild card principle.

Compensation at age of 35 or 40

Biggest disscussion on yesterday’s session of the executive board of the mok was caused by issue of financial conpensation for meritorious athletes.

According to proposal of the MOC, sent at the beginning of this year to the Montenegrin Government and line Ministry, status of meritorious athletes, and rights for life time conpensation, are only reserved for gold, silver and bronze medal winners from the Olympic and Paraolympic Games, Chess Olympiades and World and European senior competitions, and for holders of the worl records. Lowest age limit is 35 years.

Following available information, currently, there are about 20 athletes from Montenegro, since some of them have gained their rights in Serbia.

The Government of the Republic of Montenegro, i.e. Ministry of Culture, Media and Sports, has made draft Amendment of the Law on Sports, accordint to which the status of the top athletes can be gained at age of 40, while other criteria are similar to the MOC's initiative.

Dragan Drobnjak, representative of the line Ministry, has agreed that Govenment's proposal is putting in unfavourable situation those top athletes, shaped in Montenegro, who gave huge contribution to Yugoslav sports reputation, but he has also insisted that the MOC should create and forward to the Government criteria set in accordance with legal solutions, as soon as possible.

The MOC has appealed to the Government and line Ministry to treat this issue with great attention, since chances of Montenegrin athletes to bring home Olympic or World medal are not so big.