The Croatian Olympic Committee was established by national sports federations from 26 Olympic sports and three sports associations. Provisional recognition of the Croatian Olympic Committee was granted on January 17, 1992, at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne (Switzerland), following an agreement between IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch and four IOC Vice Presidents. With this decision, the IOC invited the Croatian Olympic Committee to participate with selected athletes in the 1992 XV Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France, and the XXV Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The Croatian Olympic Committee was granted full membership in the global Olympic family on September 24, 1993, at the 101st IOC session in Monaco.To mark the 33rd anniversary of the Croatian Olympic Committee's founding, Croatian Olympic Day is being celebrated across the country. This widely accepted event promotes the importance of sports activity, the Olympic principles of excellence in every field, and the values of understanding, peace, and solidarity among people as key elements of Olympic action. Sports communities and associations, schools and educational institutions, kindergartens, local and regional governments, recreational sports societies, and others are participating in this celebration.As part of the "birthday" celebration, the Croatian Olympic Committee will hold the 18th Dražen Petrović Award Ceremony on Tuesday (September 10), recognizing young athletes under 20 years of age and the most promising sports talents (under 16 years of age). The ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb, starting at noon. The Croatian Olympic Committee extends its best wishes on Croatian Olympic Day to all athletes, coaches, sports officials and workers, its members, and all other stakeholders in the sports system of our beloved country.

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Zagreb, September 10, 2024 – On this day, 33 years ago (September 10, 1991), the Croatian Olympic Committee was founded during a historic meeting at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb.

The Croatian Olympic Committee Celebrates its 33rd "Birthday" with the Dražen Petrović Award Ceremony in Zagreb and Olympic Day Across the Country

With a total of 12 million tickets sold for both Olympic spectacles, the French hosts have surpassed the previous summer Games record, set by the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, where 8.2 million tickets were sold for the Olympics and 2.7 million for the Paralympics. The Parisians sold approximately 9.5 million tickets for the Olympics and 2.5 million for the Paralympics. To recall, despite the high interest in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both events were held without spectators in the venues.It will be interesting to see if the organizers of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles can challenge the Paris record.

Paris, September 8, 2024 - According to Reuters, the organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have announced the ticket sales figures for both events.

With a Total of 12 Million Tickets Sold, the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games Set a New Record

The memorial game in honor of the "Basketball Mozart," who tragically passed away at the age of 28, brought numerous former and current Croatian, European, and global basketball stars to Zagreb. The event was held under the patronage of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, with the support of the City of Zagreb and the Croatian Basketball Federation. Among the attendees was Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.The spectacle, held in front of a full arena with 16,500 spectators, began with a short film about Dražen Petrović, tracing his journey from his hometown of Šibenik, through Cibona, Real Madrid, Portland, and New Jersey. Iconic moments from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics were also shown, where Croatia played in the final against the original American Dream Team. - Dražen would have loved playing in such a beautiful atmosphere," said Aleksandar Petrović. After that, two Croatian NBA stars, Bojan Bogdanović and Dario Šarić, along with Slovenian star Luka Dončić, took center stage.- I’ve heard a lot about Dražen from people who played with him, and it’s truly an honor for me to be here," said Luka Dončić, while Dražen’s fellow townsman Dario Šarić also expressed his pride and honor to be part of the spectacle.- My first club was named Dražen Petrović. I have fond memories of my early basketball days, growing up with stories about Dražen. It's an honor to come from the same town and take my first basketball steps in his academy," said Croatian national team player Šarić. The main event was an exhibition game between Croatia and Team Dražen, composed of numerous notable current EuroLeague players. Watching from the front row were many former basketball stars, including Dražen's teammates from the 1992 Croatian national team. Among the attendees were also his former teammates from the Yugoslav national team and various other basketball legends from around the world.Croatia was coached by Josip Sesar, and the roster included Goran Filipović, Martin Junaković, Krešimir Radovčić, Antonio Jordano, Mateo Drežnjak, Filip Krušlin, Mario Hezonja, Dario Drežnjak, Toni Nakić, Krešimir Ljubičić, Roko Prkačin, and Danko Branković. Team Dražen included Marcelinho Huertas, Shane Larkin, Nenad Dimitrijević, Džanan Musa, Andre Obst, Vanja Marinković, Jaka Blažič, Tornike Šengelia, Dyshawn Pierre, Walter Tavares, Mathias Lessort, and Boban Marjanović.Team Dražen was coached by the legendary Željko Obradović, with assistance from Croatian strategist Neven Spahija.Although the match was purely an exhibition, each pause in the game was used to commemorate Dražen's journey. The first pause took the audience back to 1983, when Dražen led Šibenka to the Yugoslav championship title with a victory in the final against Bosna. Representing that generation, Predrag Šarić spoke, and the audience was greeted by Šibenka’s then-coaches Vlade Đurović and Zoran Slavnić. Later, generations from Cibona and Real Madrid made their appearances, while Portland was represented by legendary player Terry Porter, and New Jersey, now Brooklyn, by Kenny Anderson.- It’s hard to describe how great Dražen was as a basketball player. A phenomenal player and shooter, - said Porter, while Anderson added:- Dražen was incredible. The news about him was a massive shock because we lost a fantastic basketball player, but an even better person. Although the result was secondary, Team Dražen defeated Croatia 110-107 (28-25, 28-26, 22-32, 32-24), with Mario Hezonja leading all scorers with 37 points.One of the game breaks featured a three-point contest, where Hezonja won, outperforming his Real Madrid teammate Musa in the tiebreaker.A particularly emotional moment occurred when Dražen’s teammates from the 1992 Croatian Olympic silver medal-winning team took the court. Representing that generation were Aramis Naglić, Dino Rađa, Alan Gregov, Stojko Vranković, Žan Tabak, Franjo Arapović, Vladan Alanović, Toni Kukoč, and Danko Cvjetićanin. A hologram of Dražen, created using artificial intelligence, also appeared, greeting his former teammates and the audience, wishing them enjoyment in the basketball spectacle...

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Zagreb, September 5, 2024 – Zagreb's Arena hosted a grand basketball spectacle in honor of the legendary Croatian basketball player and Olympian Dražen Petrović, who would have celebrated his 60th birthday this year.

Under the Patronage of the Croatian Government, a Memorial Spectacle Honoring Dražen Petrović was held in Zagreb

A week before the expiration of the first four-year cooperation agreement between the Croatian Olympic Committee and PESG (signed on September 8, 2020), an act to extend the partnership was signed at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb.Ivan Vugrinović, the head of education at PESG, presented the institution, explaining how their educational programs (including sports and economics high schools) provide secondary education tailored to the needs of young athletes aged 14 to 18. He proudly highlighted that the institution produces not only exceptionally successful athletes but also successful students.During the contract signing, Snježana Pejčić, the head of the Croatian Olympic Committee’s Athlete Career Center, assisted, and the new four-year cooperation agreement was signed by the Croatian Olympic Committee President Zlatko Mateša and PESG Director Sanda Gale, who is also a member of the HOO’s Commission for Dual Careers in Sports.

Zagreb, September 2, 2024 – The Croatian Olympic Committee and the PESG Sports School in Zagreb are continuing their collaboration to promote dual careers for athletes.

The Croatian Olympic Committee and PESG Sports School in Zagreb Continue Cooperation on Dual Careers for Athletes

After a minute of silence for the deceased Olympians Rato Tvrdić and Mislav Bezmalinović, Mateša extended congratulations for the results of the Croatian Olympians in Paris and gave special praise to the outstanding young athletes and the President of the Croatian Athletics Federation, Ivan Veštić, who responded:"It is indeed an outstanding result for Croatia to rank 9th in the world and 2nd in Europe in terms of medals won at the Junior World Championships, but it is important to emphasize that, besides the Croatian Athletics Federation, the Croatian Olympic Committee also deserves great credit for this achievement, as all these young athletes have passed through its development programs, and all their coaches are part of the Croatian Olympic Committee’s coach co-financing program..."The session continued with the semi-annual reports from the Croatian Olympic Committee’s development programs. The figures mostly show an increase... In the first half of 2024, the Croatian Olympic Committee supported a total of 89 athletes (51 female and 38 male) from 21 individual sports in the RZ I program. The number of athletes in this program in the first half of 2024 was 33 more, covering five additional sports compared to the same period last year. Compared to the July report, only athlete Jan Ferina changed his status, moving to the Croatian Olympic Hopes program. In the support program for younger age categories in team sports (RZ I/2), the Croatian Olympic Committee supported 157 athletes from seven team sports (seven female and five male teams). In the support program for promising athletes (RZ II/1), the Croatian Olympic Committee supported a total of 105 athletes (45 female and 60 male) from 27 individual sports, seven fewer than in the same period last year. New additions include Dominik Jezernik (athletics), Gia Kastelan, Antonio Lukač, and Marko Milanović (wrestling), Josip Tafra (sailing), Fran Mikulić (arm wrestling), Lana Lizak and Ivana Vuk (beach volleyball/75% financing), Luka Čarapović, Mia Hren, and Fran Miodrag (swimming), and Mateo Zrinski (shooting-trap/75% financing). In the support program for promising athletes in team sports (RZ II/2), the Croatian Olympic Committee supported 140 athletes (47 male and 93 female) from five team sports - basketball, volleyball, handball, artistic swimming, and water polo - in the first half of this year. The program covered 10 teams - seven female and three male. In the support program for quality athletes in the first half of 2024 (RZ III), the Croatian Olympic Committee supported a total of 117 athletes (59 female and 58 male) from 27 individual sports. This represents an increase of 36 athletes and three sports compared to the same period last year. A new name on the list since the last update is Niko Bilandžić (kickboxing), who has been eligible for the program since July 1. In the Croatian Olympic Hopes program for the first half of 2024, the Croatian Olympic Committee supported a total of 46 athletes (26 female and 20 male) from 15 individual sports. New entrants to the program as of July 1 include Lorena Horvat (boxing), Toni Dragoja, and Vili Sivec (swimming), and as of August 1: Eva Barbarić, Vita Barbić, and Jan Ferina (athletics), and Maro Miknić (swimming). In the first six months of 2024, the development programs for coaches covered 48 sports with 142 coaches, categorized into seven groups. There have been numerous updates in the Croatian Olympic Committee’s coach co-financing program since the pre-Olympic July list. As of September 1, Franjo Pavlović (athletics/coach of Filip Pravdica) has been included in the "quality coaches" category, and as of August 1, Marin Morić (boxing) has been included in the "coaches of younger age groups" category, while coaches Leonardo Pijetraj and Tomislav Bašić ceased to be beneficiaries of the Croatian Olympic Committee’s coach co-financing program as of July 31. Based on Aurel Benović's 5th place at the Paris Olympics, Vladimir Mađarević (gymnastics) was promoted from "quality coach" to the "excellent coaches" category as of August 1. From the same date, the coach responsible for judo athlete Barbara Matić's Olympic gold, Vladimir Preradović, was placed in the elite "top coaches" category, and also from judo, Josip Barić was included in the "excellent coaches" category, and Tomislav Marijanović in the "quality coaches" category (from July 1). The Olympic silver of tennis player Donna Vekić earned her coach Nikola Horvat the status of "top coach" in the Croatian Olympic Committee’s program as of September 1. Based on Matija Marinić’s 8th place at the Olympics, his coach Stjepan Perestegi was placed in the "excellent coaches" category starting in August. On the proposal of the Croatian Football Federation, coach Ivica Olić has been in the "team Olympic sports coaches" category since July 1, while coach Dragan Skočić was removed from the list as of June 30. The Council also accepted the Croatian Swimming Federation's proposal to include Ivica Androić (coach of the youngest Paris Olympian Jana Pavalić) in the "quality coaches" category, as well as Andrej Belaić in the "coaches of younger age groups" category as of August 1. On the same date, the proposal from the Croatian Savate Federation was accepted, including Predrag Šimunec in the "quality coaches" category. The Croatian Diving Federation successfully nominated Marina Novosel for the "coaches of younger age groups" category.The Croatian Olympic Committee Council unanimously accepted the proposal to suspend funding to the Croatian Chess Federation due to illegal operations, which should remain in effect until the establishment of legitimate Federation bodies and compliance with legal regulations.Positive recommendations for Croatian citizenship from the Croatian Olympic Committee were granted to the 17-year-old outstanding baseball player Spencer David Curran Mathers (USA), the 22-year-old water polo player Matija Žeželj (Serbia), and long-time taekwondo coach Ali Noghdandoost (Iran).The Croatian Olympic Committee approved non-material sponsorship for the event "Perica Vlašić - From Vela Luka to Henley," which will be held on September 14-15, 2024, in Vela Luka. Under "miscellaneous," the Croatian Olympic Committee Secretary General Siniša Krajač summarized the achievements of the current Council term (2020-2024), highlighting a 150% overall increase in the Croatian Olympic Committee revenues, the Croatian Olympic Committee's relocation to its own premises, and comprehensive improvements in the Croatian Olympic Committee's operations and activities. For the Croatian Olympic Committee electoral assembly in early October, national sports federations must define their representatives by September 12 and submit any potential candidacy proposals by September 24.

Zagreb, September 2, 2024 – Under the chairmanship of the Croatian Olympic Committee President Zlatko Mateša, the 71st session of the Croatian Olympic Committee Council was held in Zagreb, marking the final meeting of the current term. The session was also attended by IOC member from Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.

The Final Session of the Croatian Olympic Committee Council in the Current Term Highlights Reports on the Impact of Development Programs in 2024

The session will primarily focus on the semi-annual reports on the program and financial implementation of the Croatian Olympic Committee's development programs for athletes and coaches. Given that preparations are underway for the Croatian Olympic Committee elections for the 2024-2028 term, Council members will also receive information regarding the Croatian Olympic Committee electoral assembly scheduled for October 3, 2024.Two events will precede the 71st Council session at the same location: the signing of a new cooperation agreement between the Croatian Olympic Committee and the PESG Sports Academy from Zagreb, and a meeting of the Committee for the Croatian Olympic Committee's "Dražen Petrović" Award for this year.

Zagreb, September 1, 2024 – The President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zlatko Mateša, has convened the 71st regular session of the Croatian Olympic Committee Council for September 2, 2024, at noon at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb.

President Zlatko Mateša Convenes the 71st Session of the Croatian Olympic Committee Council for Monday, September 2, at noon

Mislav Bezmalinović was born on May 11, 1967, in Split. He both began and ended his water polo career at Jadran Split, where he was a key player in the club's great successes and a symbol of Split water polo in general. Bezmalinović was, in every sense, synonymous with the club from Zvončac Bay, where he started playing water polo in 1977 at the age of 10. His father also played a crucial role in Jadran's success as a member of the club's management. He played for Jadran’s first team from 1982 to 1994, then for Italian club Pescara from 1994 to 1995, and briefly for VK Salona from Solin.During those years, Bezmalinović was a "face" of water polo, frequently on magazine covers. His career matched his prominent status as a star athlete from Split. Alongside Posinković, Bezmalinović formed a powerful duo for the national team, continuing the legacy from neighboring Zenta, where gold medal Olympians Bebić and Lušić had emerged in that same decade.Bezmalinović earned his place on the 1988 Seoul Olympic team by winning a competition against Ante Vasović, who later played for Partizan before joining Jadran in Split.In Seoul, at just 21, Bezmalinović played flawlessly among more seasoned players in a very strong Yugoslav team. He made a significant contribution against Germany, scoring two goals that helped defeat the opponent in the semifinals. After victories over Hungary, Greece, and Spain, the United States fell in the final, securing the Olympic gold medal.Bezmalinović represented Yugoslavia from 1988 to 1991 and then played for Croatia from 1991 to 1994. It was a great loss for his generation that they were unable to participate in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. "Bezma" continued his career with stellar performances for both the club and national team, though under coach Duško Antunović, major successes eluded him. At the European Championships in Sheffield (UK), Croatia finished fifth, and soon after, Bezmalinović retired from the national team.His trophy collection included another gold from the 1991 World Championship in Perth and the 1989 FINA Cup. He also won silver at the European Championships in Strasbourg in 1987 and Bonn in 1989. Additionally, he took home a silver medal at the 1991 Mediterranean Games in Athens.Mislav Bezmalinović was a true giant in the water. His playing prowess and authority were the cornerstone of every coach’s strategy. He was part of the "Split trio" that won the gold medal in Seoul. All three Split clubs were evenly represented – Bezma from Jadran, Deni Lušić from POŠK, and goalkeeper Renco Posinković from Mornar.This Split trio was pivotal in securing Yugoslavia’s final Olympic medal before the country’s dissolution.In club water polo, Bezmalinović and Jadran won the Croatian championship in 1991, the Mediterranean Cup, and two European club championships in 1992 and 1993. In those golden years for Croatian water polo, Bezmalinović played phenomenally. He was also the team captain. He made the decisive play in the first match against Savona in the first final, and in the second year, he remained one of the key players.In 1992, Jadran defeated Italian team Savona 11-9 in Trieste, and the following year, two matches were played for the European title between Croatian clubs. In the first game, Mladost Zagreb defeated Jadran 8-7, but in Split, Jadran triumphed 6-4, keeping the European water polo title in Split.In 1992, Jadran brought the newly recognized Republic of Croatia its first international trophy, which Mislav Bezmalinović accepted on behalf of the team.Thus, this esteemed athlete was the first in independent Croatia, as team captain, to receive a European championship trophy. Alongside his impressive sports career, he completed a degree in Economics. He was a long-time member of the Jadran Split management team and a highly respected businessman. He was honored with the Order of Danica Hrvatska featuring the image of Franjo Bučar, a state decoration.Mislav Bezmalinović's funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 4, at 3 p.m. at Lovrinac Cemetery in Split, with a memorial service the same day at the Croatian National Theatre in Split. Given Mislav's humanitarian spirit, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to charity (by making a contribution to the Županijska Liga for the Fight Against Cancer in Split). For more information, contact 098 907 3163 (Vinka Abramović). The President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša and Secretary-General Siniša Krajač extended their condolences to the family of the late Olympian: Dear Bezmalinović Family,It is with great sadness that we received the news of the sudden passing of your Mislav. As a gold medal Olympian and a legendary figure in Split water polo, he will forever be etched in the annals of Croatian sports. On behalf of the Olympic family and in my own name, please accept our deepest condolences!

Split, August 31, 2024 – Mislav Bezmalinović, celebrated Olympic water polo player and Seoul 1988 gold medalist, passed away in Split at the age of 57.

Gold medal-winning Olympic water polo player Mislav Bezmalinović suddenly passed away at the age of 57

In recognition of his immense support for the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and his dedication to the Olympic ideal, which was cherished by the "father of modern Olympism," Pierre de Coubertin, President Emmanuel Macron was awarded the Gold Olympic Order. This accolade honors his tireless commitment and vision for the Games, which made the Paris edition an unforgettable event and a symbol of unity for all of humanity.After Paris was selected in 2017, Macron gave his full support to the French capital's bid to host the 2024 Games. During his first visit to the IOC in Lausanne, Macron not only expressed his support but also demonstrated a deep understanding and unique vision for the Olympic project. He recognized the significant potential of the Games to unite France and inspire the world.- From the first time we met, it became obvious to me that President Emmanuel Macron brought a special energy and vision to this project. He not only supported the bid but embraced it wholeheartedly. He knew every detail of the project and always saw the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a unifying project, using the power of sport to bring the people of France together and, in doing so, to unite the entire world - recalled IOC President Thomas Bach, adding:- Despite the political challenges and risks inherent in such a project, President Macron was able to see beyond the bid itself. His leadership was decisive in bringing together public authorities at all levels, overcoming political differences, and creating a unique political synergy around the Paris Games.One of the most striking examples of this collaboration was the organization of the Olympic Games opening ceremony, an unprecedented event in the heart of Paris. The idea, which the IOC proposed and President Macron, in agreement with the Organizing Committee and French authorities, turned into a spectacular reality, featuring a ceremony and a parade along the Seine River, showcasing iconic monuments like Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. This historic moment directed the eyes of the world to Paris, France, and the Olympic movement, becoming a symbol of unity and peace.Additionally, Macron supported the Olympic Games' mission of peace at a time when the IOC faced numerous attacks and threats of boycotts related to the participation of all athletes, regardless of their nationality.Upon receiving this award, President Macron responded:- You do me a great honor by awarding me this order, a recognition that belongs to all of France. Together, we have achieved magnificent success with these Games. Thank you for this honor. Your kind words about the organization of the Olympic Games are not for one person but for the efforts of an entire nation. It was a human collective, seven years involved in the Games project. But above all, they were involved because of your trust in us. And so, I will respond to your gratitude with sincere thanks, for without the trust of the IOC, its members, leadership, and all teams, without a constant, demanding, but also very cooperative relationship over seven years, we would never have achieved all of this.

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Paris, August 29, 2024 – At an official ceremony held at the Élysée Palace in Paris, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach presented French President Emmanuel Macron with the Olympic Order, the IOC's highest honor.

IOC President Thomas Bach Awards Olympic Order to French President Emmanuel Macron

He was regarded as an exceptional expert, coach, and sports educator, having nurtured generations of outstanding boxers and led many of our champions to titles.Among others, Richter coached Željko Mavrović, a former European professional champion and world title challenger, as well as Stjepan Božić, the WBF super-middleweight world champion, and Damir Škaro, who won a bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He also worked with our celebrated MMA fighters Branko Cikatić and Mirko Filipović.Milan Richter was born on March 23, 1938, in Zagreb. He began boxing in the early 1950s and competed from 1955 to 1971. He boxed for BK Metalac Zagreb and was a multiple-time champion. Throughout his career, he fought 245 matches, winning 180 times. At the peak of his strength, he remained undefeated in the ring for a decade. After a successful competitive career, he dedicated himself to coaching. He led several Zagreb clubs, including Metalac, Lokomotiva, Sokol, and Tigar. Through years of dedicated work, he left an indelible mark on Croatian boxing history and the most fruitful years of Zagreb boxing, raising generations of young boxers in the spirit of sportsmanship and guiding many to top results and great successes. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where Croatia competed as an independent state for the first time, he was a member of the boxing team, leading Croatia’s first Olympic boxer, Željko Mavrović.The final farewell to Milan Richter will take place on Tuesday, August 27, at 4:45 PM at the crematorium of Zagreb’s Mirogoj Cemetery. The Croatian Olympic Committee expresses its deepest condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the late Milan Richter.

Zagreb, August 24, 2024 - After a long and difficult illness, Milan Richter, one of Croatia's greatest boxing coaches, passed away in Zagreb at the age of 87.

Milan Richter, Trainer of Croatia's First Olympic Boxer Željko Mavrović in Barcelona 1992, Passes Away

At the electoral session of the CEV Assembly in Naples, the Croatian candidate received a convincing 36 (out of 53) votes in the second round. His opponents were Polish businessman Leszek Wenzel, CEV treasurer and one of its vice presidents Eric Adler from Denmark, and Italian Renato Arena, the first vice president of CEV and the favorite to win the election. Sikirić’s convincing victory made him the successor to the long-time CEV leader, Aleksandar Boričić from Serbia, who left a significant mark on the volleyball sport in Europe and was also known as a great friend of Croatian volleyball.During his active volleyball career, Sikirić was a Croatian national team player 89 times, playing for about ten clubs across seven countries on two continents. This extensive international experience also helped him become a polyglot. He completed his studies in global and sports management at American universities in Boston and Connecticut.Upon his election to the position of CEV president, Roko Sikirić, who had celebrated his 43rd birthday just two days earlier, stated:"It is an exceptional honor and pride to be elected as the president of CEV here in Naples, among four candidates. I want to thank the Croatian Olympic Committee, the Croatian Volleyball Federation, and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, which immensely supports Croatian sports, for their trust. This is a great responsibility, not only for the national federations, clubs, and players represented by CEV but also for me personally. Moreover, it is my responsibility to the Croatian state, which I will represent wherever I go. I am proud and grateful to everyone. Now, let's achieve great things for volleyball and for our country..."Sikirić was congratulated on his election by the outgoing CEV president Aleksandar Boričić and the president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Ary S. Graca. He also received congratulations from the president of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zlatko Mateša, and the secretary-general, Siniša Krajač: "Dear Roko,We received the news of your election to the position of CEV president with great joy. It is a great honor for Croatian sports to have a sports official at the helm of the continental association of such a popular sport as volleyball. With sincere congratulations and best wishes for a successful term in this challenging role, we also look forward to the continued excellent cooperation that we have had so far with the Croatian Volleyball Federation and CEV."

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Naples, August 24, 2024 - Former Croatian national team player and once an outstanding volleyball player, Roko Sikirić (43), has been elected as the new president of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) for the term lasting until 2028.﻿

Former Croatian National Team Player Roko Sikirić Becomes the New President of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV)

Ratomir Tvrdić was born on September 14, 1943, in Split. He began his basketball career at the Split Basketball Club Marjan.He started playing basketball at nearly 17 years of age and, by the time he was 23, he had already made it to the Yugoslav national team, for which he played 157 games and scored 753 points.Rato Tvrdić first donned the national jersey in 1965 at the Balkan Championship. The following summer, he competed in the unofficial World Championship, participated in the 1967 European Championship in Helsinki, and skipped the Olympic Games in Mexico—better said, he declined to participate—due to his involvement in the establishment of a TV service. His national team career lasted from 1969 until 1975, culminating in the European Championship where the team of the former country secured a gold medal in Belgrade. As team captain, he led his squad to the podium at the European Championships in 1973 in Barcelona and again two years later in Belgrade. In the interim, he claimed the World Championship trophy in San Juan, as well as a gold medal at the legendary 1970 World Championship in Ljubljana. He also competed in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.Tvrdić joined the national team during the era of Ivo Daneu, Radivoj Korać, and their generation, and retired after 1975, just as the generation of Kićanović, Jerkov, Delibašić, and others were coming onto the scene. In a way, he was a bridge not just between two but among four or even five basketball generations, serving as a cornerstone of basketball during that time.He was even more significant in his beloved Jugoplastika. With Rato playing a leading or key role, the "Yellows" won the Yugoslav championship titles in 1971 and 1977, as well as victories in the national Cup in 1972, 1974, and 1977, and the Korać Cup in 1976 and 1977. They also played in many other major finals, often finishing as the runners-up, just behind the national champions.For his favorite and only club, Rato Tvrdić scored 5,575 points. His farewell from active play in 1977 brought some of the biggest names in world basketball to Split. He bid farewell in a dignified manner at his home court, Gripe, where a European selection team played as guests. Present were the top figure in world basketball at the time, William Jones, and Bora Stanković...After retiring from active play, he remained involved in basketball with his "Yellows," holding various roles. He was a long-time member of the Technical Commission as well as the club's sports director.He was a member of the Yugoslav Olympic Committee from 1977 to 1985.In 1979, he received the Republic's Lifetime Achievement Award for Physical Culture. He was awarded the Croatian Olympic Committee's "Matija Ljubek" Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, the "Fabjan Kaliterna" Trophy of the Split Sports Federation in 2007, and in 2022, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Split-Dalmatia County. He was also decorated with the Order of Danica Hrvatska with the likeness of Franjo Bučar.With the separation of Croatian sports from the former state, Rato actively participated in the formation of the Croatian Olympic Committee. He was a member of the Croatian Olympic Committee Council from September 1993 and later served as the Vice President of the Croatian Olympic Committee from 1997 to 2000.The President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zlatko Mateša, and the Secretary General, Siniša Krajač, sent a condolence telegram to the family of the late sports giant, Rato Tvrdić: Dear Tvrdić family, We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rato, who was not only a cherished member of your family but also of ours. Alongside his brilliant basketball career, he was also an outstanding sports official. We are immensely grateful to him for his selfless engagement in the creation of the Croatian Olympic Committee, to which he later contributed an indelible mark as a Council member and as Vice President during one term. On behalf of the Croatian Olympic family and personally, please accept our deepest condolences!

Split, August 20, 2024 - At the age of 81, we have lost Rato, a symbol and iconic figure of Split's Jugoplastika. Simply mentioning his name is enough to evoke recognition far and wide that it refers to Rato Tvrdić, the "mustachioed man who never missed a basket."

Legendary Rato Tvrdić, Olympic basketball player and a key figure in the creation of the Croatian Olympic Committee, has passed away

Of course, the actions taken by President Mateša and the Croatian Olympic Committee at that time were aimed at the benefit and well-being of athletes, something that the head of world athletics clearly recognized. The letter from Sebastian Coe to Zlatko Mateša is presented in its entirety: Dear Zlatko, dear President, dear friend,I hope you had a safe and smooth return home from the Olympic Games in Paris and at least a brief opportunity to rest.I believe you will recall how, after the years of the pandemic, I wrote to you to express my thanks for the unwavering support of your national athletics federation, which is also one of our members, in helping to keep athletes in training and competition. World Athletics will never forget that support. It was this generous gesture that enabled all our athletes to deliver such remarkable performances in Paris and to leave behind indelible records.Once again, I extend my gratitude, addressing you on behalf of the entire global athletics family.Thank youAs always,Sebastian Coe CH, KBEPresident of World Athletics At the end of the letter, the legendary British middle-distance runner and now the head of world athletics extended warm greetings to the Croatian IOC member, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, noting that he enjoyed the time spent in her company during the Games in Paris.

Zagreb, August 20, 2024 - The Croatian Olympic Committee has received a letter from the President of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, in which he once again expresses his gratitude to the Croatian Olympic Committee President Zlatko Mateša for the decisive measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic, from which our athletics emerged nearly unscathed.

President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe Sends a Letter of Gratitude to Zlatko Mateša

In exactly two weeks, numerous basketball fans, as well as admirers of the "Basketball Mozart" Dražen Petrović, will once again pay tribute to the great player whose legacy continues to inspire new generations of athletes.Three current Croatian NBA stars—Bojan Bogdanović, Dario Šarić, and Ivica Zubac—will personally honor Dražen by participating in the rich program, showcasing just how much he meant to them.Bojan Bogdanović from Mostar is a Croatian basketball player and a former long-time national team member. He currently plays as a shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets. Dario Šarić from Šibenik is a Croatian professional basketball player and a member of the Denver Nuggets. Ivica Zubac from Mostar plays as a center for the NBA team Los Angeles Clippers. Dražen Petrović’s journey and accomplishments have significantly inspired all three on their path to the NBA. The significance of this event, particularly its message to future generations, has been recognized by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, which sponsors the basketball spectacle in honor of Dražen.

Zagreb, August 21, 2024– In celebration of the 60th birthday of one of the most legendary basketball players in history, Dražen Petrović, a memorial game will be held in his honor on September 5th at Arena Zagreb, where the Croatian national team will face the European Selection.

In Arena Zagreb on September 5th, Croatia vs. Europe: The Basketball Spectacle of the Year in Honor of Dražen

Valent and Martin Sinković in rowing, along with Barbara Matić in judo, claimed gold medals for Croatia. Silver medals were secured by Donna Vekić in tennis and the Croatian water polo team, while bronze went to Miran Maričić in shooting, Sandra Elkasević in athletics, and Lena Stojković in taekwondo. Our athletes also achieved numerous fourth and fifth-place finishes, narrowly missing out on Olympic medals. Those who came close include Sara Kolak (athletics), Katarina Krišto (judo), Ivan Šapina (taekwondo), Aurel Benović (gymnastics), and Gabrijel Veočić (boxing). For comparison, at the previous Games in Tokyo, Croatia was represented by 59 athletes, who won eight medals (3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze). The record medal haul remains from the Rio de Janeiro Games, where Croatia secured 10 medals (5 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze). A total of 87 Croatian Olympians competed in 18 sports. At that time, based on the number of gold medals relative to population size, Croatia ranked a sensational 3rd out of 206 participating nations. By a similar criterion (medals won relative to population size) in Paris, Croatia would rank 11th. On the overall medal table, which included 204 nations at the Paris Games, medals were won by representatives from 90 countries and the Refugee Olympic Team. Croatia is tied for 30th place with Azerbaijan. This result further confirms Croatia's membership in the elite group of sporting nations, this time led by the United States with 126 medals (40 gold), followed by China with 91 (40 gold) and Japan with 45 (20 gold) medals.&nbsp;

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Paris, August 12, 2024 - At the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris, Croatian athletes (73 participants in 16 sports) finished with a total of seven medals: two gold, two silver, and three bronze.

Croatia Ranks 30th on the Medal Table at the Paris Games with Seven Olympic Medals

The event began with the last in a series of welcome ceremonies hosted by the Croatian Olympic Committee in the airport's VIP lounge, followed by a public celebration on a stage set up in front of the airport. The City of Zagreb, in collaboration with the Croatian Olympic Committee and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, organized the celebration outside the airport in line with the wishes of the players and coaching staff, as the water polo team was set to continue their journey to their hometowns later that evening. The event was held on the parking lot plateau in front of the "Franjo Tuđman" Airport terminal, featuring a program that started at 8 PM with a performance by Zaprešić Boys. The Olympians were greeted by Tomo Medved, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans; Josip Pavić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Tomislav Paškvain, the President of Croatia’s Commissioner for Sports; parliamentary representative Danijela Blažanović, the envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament; as well as Tomislav Tomašević, Mayor of Zagreb, and his deputy Luka Korlaet.Bronze medalist Lena Stojković (taekwondo, up to 49 kg) was the first to address the crowd:- "It was an honor to represent Croatia, an honor to showcase my skills in my sport, and an honor that it all ended with a medal. We should all be proud of what we achieved in Paris."Speaking on behalf of the water polo team's coaching staff, head coach Ivica Tucak said:- "Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. After 20 grueling days, we returned with a silver medal. You all know that this wasn't what we wanted or dreamed of, but this is a huge achievement. It will take time for the emotions to settle, but no one can stop us from continuing to dream. I am confident that we will win that gold."Captain Marko Bijač, after being greeted with ovations, added on behalf of the players:- "Thank you for making this welcome so special for us. We can truly be proud of the entire year, especially of what we achieved in Paris." Hrvoje Balen, Director of the Croatian Olympic Committee’s Office for Local Sports Programs, congratulated the medalists on behalf of the Croatian Olympic Committee, as well as all Croatian athletes for their excellent performances, determination, and commitment, presenting them with commemorative gold coins.- "Special congratulations to Lena Stojković, who has completed her four-year cycle by adding an Olympic medal to her World and European Championship medals, and to the water polo team, who won three medals in one year. This is a magnificent achievement, worthy of admiration," said Balen.Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević also congratulated the Croatian Olympians, emphasizing that even qualifying for the Games is a great success.- "We must also congratulate our Olympians who didn’t win a medal. Sometimes we are too harsh on our athletes, as just making it to the Olympic Games is a significant achievement. Congratulations to Lena on her bronze medal, following her World and European Championship successes, and to our Barakudas for winning three medals this calendar year. Croatia is proud of you," said Mayor Tomašević. In this final group, a total of 46 members of the Croatian sports delegation returned from Paris, with the water polo players being the most numerous. Accompanying them were Lena Stojković, taekwondo athletes Marko Golubić and Ivan Šapina, kayaker Anamaria Govorčinović, and track and field athletes Sara Kolak, Bojana Bjeljac, and Matea Parlov Koštro.

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Zagreb, August 12, 2024 - The final group of Croatian Olympians, led by the silver medal-winning Croatian water polo team and bronze medal-winning taekwondo athlete Lena Stojković, returned from Paris to Zagreb, where a formal welcome was organized for them at "Franjo Tuđman" Airport.

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