At the same session, the Croatian Olympic Committee conducted an election process in which officials for the remaining leading bodies of Croatia’s top sports organization were also elected.The election process preceded a ten-minute presentation on the Croatian Olympic Committee’s activities over the previous four years. The HOO Secretary General, Siniša Krajač, presented to the Assembly members all the significant advances the Croatian Olympic Committee had made in sports, administration, technology, media, and other areas of operation, emphasizing a 150% budget increase, the relocation of the organization to its newly acquired premises, and the restructuring of the Sports Television, owned by the Croatian Olympic Committee.Following this, Zlatko Mateša, as the sole presidential candidate, gave his pre-election address, highlighting that he wouldn’t focus on the positive achievements like the Secretary-General had. His speech outlined potential and evident issues that Croatian sports must address shortly, offering his vision for possible solutions:- "I’m thankful for the tremendous support, as 74 signatures backing my candidacy represent strong support. We face challenging times, primarily due to demographic constraints. We have about 720,000 young people under the age of 19, and the question is how, with such a small base, we can support around 80 sports federations and remain among the top 15% of nations in terms of success at the Olympic Games, competing against 206 countries. We need to support families whose children are involved in sports, easing the burden of buying equipment, travel expenses, membership fees, and ensuring that these children become our pledge for future Olympic Games. A voucher system, like in other countries, would help here, and we’ll further develop it. Another major issue is our sports clubs, which are struggling. Our companies should invest in clubs, and the tax regulations for such investments need to become more attractive. Without strengthening clubs, it’s hard to have strong national teams. We have the Croatian Olympic Committee’s development programs as an example. There isn’t a single Olympic medalist who hasn’t passed through the Croatian Olympic Committee’s development programs. We will continue to finance not only medal winners from Paris but also all other athletes who competed at the Games. Another issue is sports infrastructure, and I truly don’t understand why we can’t follow the example of Hungary or Austria in this... The International Olympic Committee didn’t just randomly add the word ‘together’ to the Olympic motto – I believe that together we can improve the current state,” Mateša said, outlining his vision for the next four-year term.Through a unanimous public vote by Assembly members, Mateša was re-elected as the president (a position he has held since 2002), and his proposal for four vice-presidents was subsequently confirmed: Željko Jerkov (Croatian Olympians Club), Barbara Matić (the Croatian Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission), Marijan Kustić (Croatian Football Federation), and Sanda Čorak (Croatian Judo Federation). The newly elected president also proposed, and the Assembly accepted, 16 members of the Croatian Olympic Committee Council (a total of 23 members): the president, four vice-presidents, International Olympic Committee member Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, Ivan Veštić (athletics), Tomislav Grahovac (handball), Valentina Bifflin (volleyball), Perica Bukić (water polo), Anto Nobilo (taekwondo), Miho Glavić (skiing), Srećko Ferenčak (squash), Zlatko Taritaš (sailing), Željko Kisić (rowing), Mario Meštrović (Sports Community of Vukovar-Srijem County), Nikola Rukavina (basketball), Zoran Primorac (table tennis), Marijo Možnik (gymnastics), Zdravko Marić (tennis), Damir Knjaz (golf), and Snježana Jurinić (Sports Community of Zadar County). At the next session, Dragutin Kamenski (rugby) is expected to be involved in the Council.The Croatian Olympic Committee Supervisory Board members elected were: Ivan Jelenčić, Fernando Kirigin, Goran Kovačić, Stjepan Krznarić, and Romeo Vrečko. The Ethical Committee members elected were: Andrea Vrbik, Siniša Lučić, Mario Dokmanić, Krešimir Koketi, and Martina Zubčić Dušak. The heads of the Croatian Olympic Committee’s sports groups committees are: Sanda Čorak (summer Olympic sports), Miho Glavić (winter Olympic sports), Zlatko Mateša (non-Olympic sports), and Mario Meštrović (local sports communities).

President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša and Vice President Marijan Kustić

Zagreb, October 3, 2024 – At the 74th session of the Croatian Olympic Committee Assembly, held at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb, the incumbent president Zlatko Mateša was unanimously re-elected as the president of the Croatian Olympic Committee for the 2024-2028 term.

Current President Zlatko Mateša Re-Elected for a New Four-Year Term at the Helm of the Croatian Olympic Committee

Neven Ilić Álvarez, the incumbent president of Panam Sports, won a decisive victory with 37 votes, while his opponent, Keith Joseph, received 16 votes. Thus, the Chilean of Croatian descent, also a member of the IOC, will have the mission of leading Panam Sports in his third consecutive term.“I want to thank all those who supported me, for allowing me to finish this project. These elections are over and I can say that we are a great group. Everyone is part of this project. Of course, I thank my friend Keith Joseph. We will continue working&nbsp;so that the Americas remain&nbsp;a stellar continent,” said Neven Ilić Álvarez, the newly re-elected Panam Sports president, at the end of the voting.The Pan-American Sports Organization (Panam Sports) is the leading organization for sports and the Olympic movement in the Americas. It promotes sports development and supports the work of 41 national Olympic committees from both American continents. The Croatian Olympic Committee congratulates Neven Ilić Álvarez on his third presidential term at the helm of the largest Pan-American sports organization – Panam Sports!

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On the right: Neven Ilić Álvarez as a guest at the Croatian House in Krakow, accompanied by EOC President Spyros Capralos, the chief coordinator of the 2023 European Games Hasan Arat, and the host of the reception, the Croatian Olympic Committee President Zlatko Mateša.

Asuncion, October 2, 2024 - On the first day of the 62nd General Assembly of the leading Pan-American sports organization (Panam Sports) in Asuncion, Paraguay, the election for the presidency for the 2024-2028 term took place. The current president, Neven Ilić Álvarez, faced off against the second vice-president of Panam Sports, Keith Joseph.

Chilean of Croatian descent, Neven Ilić Álvarez, re-elected as Panam Sports President

In the company of representatives from the Croatian Hockey Federation, Director Slaven Zlatar and the Croatian Hockey Federation Executive Board member Renata Gregurek, international guests also participated in the meeting – Tom Pedersen-Smith, the lead coordinator of the project from the European Hockey Federation (EuroHockey), Phil Taylor from OAKS Consultancy as the project manager representing the agency involved in strategic planning, and Peter Elders, a member of the Executive Board of the European Hockey Federation.The Croatian Olympic Committee was represented by the Director of the Office for National Sports Federations’ Programs and Development Programs, Neven Šavora, and EU Funds and International Cooperation manager, Ante Ćosić.As the Croatian Hockey Federation is involved in the project, strategic planning was also discussed with representatives of the umbrella organization of Croatian sports, and the international guests had previously presented the project at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Zagreb, September 30, 2024 – A meeting on the EU project "Solidarity through Great Governance" was held at the Croatian Olympic Committee premises.

Guests from the European Hockey Federation and the Croatian Hockey Federation presented an EU project on strategic planning to the Croatian Olympic Committee

The Croatian American Football Association delegation included its vice presidents, Mislav Pokrovac and Ante Ajduk, who updated the Croatian Olympic Committee leadership on current developments within the Association and the national team. In 2023, flag football was recognized as the fastest-growing sport in Europe, which led to its inclusion in the Olympic program for 2028. The sport has seen a particular rise in popularity in the women’s category. Currently, Croatia has six active clubs located in Dubrovnik, Split, Karlovac, Zagreb, Bjelovar, and Osijek. All clubs are members of the Association, working together with the shared goal of organizing competitions in both contact and non-contact versions of the sport, promoting the sport within local communities, schools, and universities, and bringing together everyone interested in the sport in various forms. President Mateša and Secretary General Krajač assured the Croatian American Football Association representatives of their support for the national team’s activities during the newly launched Olympic cycle, with the common goal of having Croatia represented by another team sport at the LA 2028 Games.

Zagreb, September 20, 2024 – Croatian Olympic Committee President Zlatko Mateša and Secretary General Siniša Krajač welcomed representatives of the Croatian American Football Association at the national sports association’s headquarters. Flag football, a variant of American football, will be an Olympic sport at the Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028

Mateša and Krajač Welcome Representatives of the Croatian American Football Association at the Croatian Olympic Committee, Whose Flag Football Will Be an Olympic Sport in LA 2028

The Mrduja Regatta is the oldest sailing competition in Croatia and one of the oldest in Europe. This year, it will be sailed for the 93rd time, a tradition unmatched by any other sporting event in Croatia.The iconic regatta, organized by the Sailing Club Jadran from Split, is the central event of the Split Sailing Festival. Over 200 boats with both domestic and foreign crews regularly participate, offering an unforgettable experience to participants and spectators alike who share a passion for sailing and sea adventures.Since 2022, a charitable sailing competition has been held as part of the Mrduja Regatta under the motto ‘Sail with Rotary for the Croatian Athletes Foundation.’ In the regatta's starting lineup in the Split waters, that year were six ACI yachts, skippered by renowned Croatian sailors such as Tonči Stipanović, Šime and Mihovil Fantela, Filip Jurišić, and Palma Čargo. Among the skippers was also our most successful Winter Olympian, Ivica Kostelić.Crew members included celebrated athletes and Olympians like Tomislav Smoljanović, Snježana Pejčić, Antonija Sandrić, Barbara Matić, Ivan and Anđelo Kvesić, as well as representatives of sponsors. The following year, they were joined by Igor Boraska, Zoran Primorac, Milivoj Bebić, Josip Reić, Valent Sinković, Mihaela and Anđela de Micheli Vitturi, Ivan Kljaković Gašpić, Mario Vekić, Blanka Vlašić, and many others who wanted to support this initiative.Our renowned table tennis player and seven-time Olympian, Zoran Primorac, who is also a member of the Croatian Athletes Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the Rotary Club Medvedgrad, recalls how it all began.- I once talked to Dubravko Šimenc, president of the Croatian Athletes Foundation, about what new charity initiative we could start, something fresh and different. I came up with the idea of doing something with sailing since I knew my fellow Rotarians were great sailing enthusiasts. Naturally, they loved the idea. The founders of the Foundation—the Croatian Olympians Club, Sportske Novosti, and the Croatian Olympic Committee—were also enthusiastic, and we got started. JK Labud was one of the co-organizers, ACI donated the boats, Hanza Media helped with promotion, and the Rotarians made a significant contribution to the organization and sponsored recruitment. In the first two years, we raised more than 40,000 euros for the Foundation, helping many athletes in need - says Primorac.Primorac explains how this charity event works:- Sponsors ‘rent’ boats and pay for the opportunity. They get to sail with our Olympians and socialize with them at the Welcome Party in Strožanac, which they love. It’s a completely new experience for them, and at the same time, they’re doing something good for society and athletes. This charitable regatta also has a competitive element, as these ACI yachts, the ClubSwan 36, are fantastic and very fast—they’re even called the ‘Ferrari of sailing’—so for all the participants, it was a thrilling experience and a great story.The Croatian Athletes Foundation, which benefits from the funds raised at this charity regatta, was established with one goal: to provide financial assistance to former athletes.- The Foundation’s mission is to help athletes in need, whether it’s addressing their financial, health, or any other problem. These are our colleagues who have fallen on hard times for various reasons, and we’re here to help. Many are deeply grateful to the Foundation for offering a helping hand when they needed it most: whether it was covering major medical expenses, purchasing necessary and costly equipment, or providing financial support. I think the Croatian Athletes Foundation is a wonderful story. Our first president was Zvone Boban, and now it’s Dudo Šimenc. It’s heartwarming to see athletes helping athletes, as we usually knock on others’ doors for help. Now, athletes are helping each other.The role of the Rotary Club Medvedgrad in this whole effort is immense and indispensable.- The Rotarians are a humanitarian organization focused on helping others. The members of the Rotary Club Medvedgrad, of which I’m a part, recognized everything we’re doing with the Foundation and enthusiastically joined our cause. We’re now in the midst of preparations for the third charity regatta. These are all very serious and successful people—university professors, doctors, entrepreneurs—who dedicate all their free time to this charity regatta. The Croatian Olympic Committee, led by President Zlatko Mateša and Secretary General Siniša Krajač, also recognized the value of this initiative from the start and supported us. From the beginning, we envisioned this as a traditional event, and it seems we’re on the right path, as we’re now preparing for the third one.This initiative has proven that Croatian Olympians, as well as other successful athletes, are a brand that can capture the public’s interest and attract sponsors to such a charity event.- The athletes are thrilled about it too. Everyone wants to be on those boats and be part of this story. An Olympic medal is prestigious and respected worldwide, and business partners believe it represents something people admire beyond sport. That’s why every company wants to link its image with that of an Olympic champion or any other top athlete. These athletes also have strong media connections, which can open doors for them. It’s a win-win situation, showing how valuable our top athletes are and how they can attract people from the business world. This year, we’ll have, among others, Olympic champion judoka Barbara Matić from Paris, and for the first time, we’ll also have Paralympians led by Paralympic table tennis champion Anđela Mužinić Vincetić.Although the first two charity regattas held under the slogan ‘Sail with Rotary for the Croatian Athletes Foundation’ as part of the 91st and 92nd Mrduja Regatta were very successful, there is still room for improvement.- We need to work on increasing our media visibility so that more people can see what we’re doing. That’s the next step we need to take. Once the public becomes more aware of this initiative, it will be much easier to attract new sponsors - concludes Zoran Primorac.The 93rd Mrduja Regatta, featuring the charity race for the Croatian Athletes Foundation, will take place on the Split–Mrduja–Split route on October 5, 2024.

In the first two years, we raised more than 40,000 euros for the Croatian Athletes Foundation, and with that money, we helped many athletes in need, says Zoran Primorac, a member of the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

Athletes Helping Athletes: ‘Sail with Rotary for the Croatian Athletes Foundation’

- Throughout the years, the turnout for exercises and numerous events has been massive, and it will be the same this year. We have more than 100 activities prepared for the eight events organized by the Ministry alone, not including the events planned by other cities, municipalities, and stakeholders. We are optimistic, and this is an opportunity to once again show just how important sports are and how beneficial it is to be involved in sports. We shouldn’t only focus on professional sports but also on recreational sports, which make us healthier and happier - said State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Josip Pavić, who invited all citizens to join the initiative and find a physical activity suited to them.The European Week of Sport program begins on Monday, September 23, at Cvjetni Square in Zagreb, from 3 PM to 5 PM. In collaboration with the Croatian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, citizens will have the chance to meet our Olympians and Paralympians, participants of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The program will include sports activities, quizzes about Olympians, and a showcase of Living Pictures, which will bring to life the history of Croatian Olympism and sports, including our great athletes such as Franjo Bučar, Milan Neralić, Mate Parlov, and Dražen Petrović.- The #BeActive initiative, the European Week of Sport, has been highly successful, with activities in 40 European countries, extending beyond the European Union. Last year, we had more than 37,000 activities across Europe during this week, with almost 11 million EU citizens participating in all these events. In the Croatian context, I’d like to thank the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, which has been a loyal partner in promoting a more active lifestyle for citizens of all ages, and that’s what matters. Croatia is fantastic in elite sports, but there’s still plenty of room to raise awareness among the general population about how important physical activity is for all of us - said Andrea Čović Vidović, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia. The Vintage Sports Day, held on September 25 in Kutjevo, will present traditional sports of the Požega-Slavonia County through an intergenerational Olympics, promoting Olympic values. The School Day in Makarska, on September 27, will provide local schoolchildren with an opportunity to experience the Olympic spirit through sports activities and the illustrated book "The Olympic Primer." - Personally, sport is very important to me; it’s part of my daily life. Sport runs in my blood, and as a kinesiologist, I feel it's my mission to encourage people to stay active. The statistics on the number of active people in Croatia are quite disheartening, and I think this needs to change, not just for physical appearance but also for health. Physical activity affects both mental and physical health, offering a wide range of benefits, including weight management, strengthening the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and improving bone density, which is crucial as we age, particularly for women’s health - said Matea Parlov Koštro, an outstanding marathon runner and two-time Croatian Olympian. On Saturday, September 28, Dubrovnik will host a special #BeActive Night event as part of the 10th edition of the European Week of Sport. This unique program will be held on the terrace of the Revelin Fortress, starting at 7 PM, offering Dubrovnik residents a chance to enjoy a free three-hour sports gathering. Participants will exercise under the stars, accompanied by stunning light effects and music, with well-known trainers and local sports clubs leading the activities. The National Day – Sports Village will be celebrated on September 29 in Metković, where local clubs and associations will showcase their activities, motivating citizens to engage in physical activity. The final day, September 30, will focus on promoting exercise in the workplace, with a special emphasis on encouraging employees to exercise during working hours and while commuting. - All events are aligned with the European Commission's guidelines on green sports, emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability. The goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle that includes not only physical activity but also healthy eating, environmental care, and a holistic approach to health - said Marija Jurčević, Head of the Department for International Sports Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. The #BeActive campaign calls on citizens to stay active not only during the European Week of Sport but throughout the year. The European Commission emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and supports initiatives such as #HealthyLifeStyle4All, with a special focus on Olympic values – friendship, excellence, respect, unity, equality, and solidarity.

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Zagreb, September 19, 2024 – The 10th-anniversary edition of the European Week of Sport, an initiative by the European Commission, organized in Croatia by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, will take place from September 23 to 30. Citizens of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy various activities across Croatia.

This Year’s European Week of Sport is from September 23 to 30 with Numerous Events Across Croatia

The event also marked Croatian Olympic Day, which was aimed at educating and informing the public about the benefits of sports and recreation, as well as introducing the local sports community to the public. It also provides insight into other associations that offer free-time activities for children and young people. The event is held at the start of the school year to help parents and children make informed decisions when enrolling in sports and other extracurricular activities.After introductory speeches by Mayor Fernando Kirigin, who is also the visionary and initiator of the Opatija Sports Day, President of the Sports Association Dragutin Galina, Child Mayor Lana Golubović, and Principal Milana Međimorec, young successful athlete Petar Pobar, alongside Paralympian and world table tennis champion Vjekoslav Gregorović, raised the Olympic flag. The program was hosted by Borna Šmer, with support from the President of the Opatija City Council Dušan Kotur, and Deputy Mayor Kristina Đukić.The venue was decorated with improvised sports fields and stands, where around thirty associations from the City of Opatija showcased Olympic and other sports, work with children, and efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. They encouraged visitors to engage in sports through various sports games and an educational entertainment program. The children enjoyed a performance by the majorettes, explored a tent and equipment of the mountaineers, fishing equipment, air rifles from the Opatija DVD Shooting Club, and tried out tennis, volleyball, table tennis, handball, basketball, judo, kickboxing, karate, football, and chess. They were also introduced to water polo, sailing, paddleboarding, and motorsports. Firefighters held a demonstration with their search dog Sparky, the City Red Cross Society demonstrated resuscitation procedures, and the Žmergo Association and Naša Djeca organized fun games. The Association for People with Disabilities and the Ad liberos Association also presented their work.All participants and visitors joined in a group warm-up and exercise session with music from DJ Vedran, under the program “Let’s Exercise Together,” led by popular trainer Mario Mlinarić (MM Training). Alongside Mlinarić, boxing representatives Nikolina Ćaćić and Patrik Plantić also led the exercises.Seventh and eighth-grade students participated in a recreational walk along the Lungomare and Carmen Sylva paths, accompanied by professional guides from KŠR Gorovo. The celebration of Opatija Sports Day concluded with a sweet snack for all students.The Opatija Sports Association presented a special brochure, “Say YES to Sports in Opatija,” which provides information about Opatija’s sports clubs with the aim of introducing sports to young people and establishing quality connections between children, parents, and sports. The brochure also includes tips for parents of young athletes and highlights Opatija’s most successful athletes, who were honored in March at the Gervais Center. The brochure was distributed free of charge to all students and visitors.PARTICIPANTS OF THE 11th OPATIJA SPORTS DAY: Opatija Motorsport Automobile Club, Opatija Gymnastics Club, Liburnija Judo Club, Opatija Sailing Club, Opatija Karate Club, Opatija Beach Volleyball Club, Opatija Basketball Club, Gorovo Sports Recreation Club, Opatija Football Club, Opatija Mountaineering Society, Opatija Volleyball Club, Opatija Volley Volleyball Club, Opatija Fight Club Kickboxing Club, Liburnija Opatija Handball Club, Opatija 08 Table Tennis Club, Opatija DVD Shooting Club, Volosko Chess Club, Jadran Sports Fishing Club, Ičići Sports Fishing Club, Opatija Tennis Club, Opatija LRH Water Polo Club, Croatia Yacht Club, Opatija Riviera Majorettes, City Red Cross Society, Opatija Association for People with Disabilities, Ad liberos Association, Opatija Sports Recreation Association, Opatija DVD, Žmergo Association, Naša Djeca Opatija Association, Opatija Kindergarten, and Vop sup Team.

Opatija, September 17, 2024 – For the eleventh year in a row, the Sports Association of the City of Opatija, with the help of the R. K. Jeretov Primary School, the Gorovo Sports Recreation Club, and the Naša Djeca (Our Children) Association, organized the Opatija Sports Day.

Opatija Sports Day: Five Hundred Children Discover the Joys of Sports and Recreation, with 32 Associations Participating in the Celebration of Croatian Olympic Day

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.