The Montenegrin Olympic Committee organized a farewell gala for our athletes who are on their way to the Tokyo Olympics. This will be the fourth Olympic Games for Montenegro since it regained its independence. At a ceremony held at Villa "Gorica", the President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic presented the country's flag to water polo player Drasko Brguljan and handball player Jovanka Radicevic, who will both wear it at the opening of the Games on July 23rd. "Under this same flag, the generations of our ancestors have defended and protected Montenegro, as well as gained glory that future generations are proud of. For centuries, this flag gone to the best hands. So it is today. I am certain that each of the 33 members of our expedition would be a worthy bearer at the Ceremony, but I also know that each of you will be proud that your leaders at this parade are Jovanka Radicevic and Drasko Brguljan, sports icons and role models for our athletes and young generations. I am hereby handing you the flag of Montenegro, convinced that you will fight for it, giving your best in every game. Hundreds of thousands of hearts of your fans in Montenegro and our people around the world will beat for you every second, at every battlefield and will help you extract that last atom of strength that will lead you to victory. Happy journey to Japan, I hope for your safe return and wish you to be what you are, regardless of the results - ambassadors that Montenegro is proud of", said Djukanovic. MOC's President Dusan Simonovic said that this year's Olympics have been greatly anticipated, with some fear that Montenegrin athletes would not be able to realize their Olympic dreams. He also stated that the world we have lived in for the last two years has shown that Olympism is an inexhaustible source of ancient, permanent and imperishable values, which modern civilization has attached to the general heritage of mankind. "It is an incredible feeling that we are here, at this place again, after 5 years. It is an amazing pride we feel, thanks to our extraordinary Olympic team, which brought us together tonight. More than 10,000 athletes will gather in Tokyo, united by these values, united by emotion - which is the official slogan of the Games - under the Olympic torch that will, symbolically, illuminate the entire planet, sending the message that light always prevails over darkness. A message that the contest, the desire to compete in a chivalrous spirit and the inner urge to do better, higher, faster, and to develop, progress and push your own boundaries, are what drives the world. You, who will represent Montenegro in Tokyo, have already shown what is written in your genes. Courage, character, determination, willingness to sacrifice for a higher goal, and to face challenges with head held high. You are the pride of this country, you are our best ambassadors, you are the ones who teach us and remind us how to love Montenegro, you are the ones who prove to us day by day, from game to game, the incredible power of sport. I wish you all the best at the Olympic Games", concluded the President of the MOC. The ceremony at Villa "Gorica" was also attended by the President of the Parliament Aleksa Becic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Djordje Radulovic, as well as by the Director of the Directorate for Youth and Sports Vasilije Lalosevic. At the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Montenegro will be represented by 33 athletes in 7 sports - 2 collective (handball and water polo) and 5 individual (sailing, athletics, judo, archery and swimming). Photo gallery from the event can be found here.
