The Olympic Committee of Serbia and DDOR osiguranje, the official insurer of the Serbian Olympic Team, organized the first in a series of “Get-togethers with Olympians” today at the “Metropol Palace” hotel in Belgrade. At this event, media representatives had the opportunity to talk to 11 athletes who will represent our country at the Olympic Games in Paris, which will be held from July 26 to August 11 this year.
In anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Games, athletes discussed their plans, preparation progress, upcoming competitions leading up to the Games, expectations for Paris 2024, as well as non-sporting topics, with media representatives. The athletes included wrestler Aleksandar Komarov, volleyball player Aleksandra Uzelac, shooter Damir Mikec, boxers Natalia Šadrina, Vakid Abasov, and Sara Ćirković, rower Jovana Arsić, and kayakers Milica Novaković, Marija Dostanić, Anastazija Bajuk, and Dunja Stanojev.
Mr. Francesco Masci, CEO of the DDOR osiguranje, addressed the athletes and media representatives on behalf of DDOR, the official insurer of the Serbian Olympic Team.
“As part of DDOR’s ESG strategy, we are paying special attention in this Olympic cycle to cycling, which has massive benefits for both human health and the entire planet. On top of that, this is the first Olympic cycle in the history of Serbia when the female cyclist Jelena Erić in the road race discipline managed to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris with her great dedication and work. Jelena Erić is a seven-time champion of Serbia in road cycling, she participated in the Youth Olympic Games in Nanking in 2014. We would like to send her special congratulations and announce the support of DDOR osiguranje to Jelena. And how our slogan says: DDOR osiguranje is with all heart with the Olympic team of Serbia”, said Francesco Masci CEO of the DDOR osiguranje.
Božidar Maljković, President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, greeted those present on behalf of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, expressing gratitude to DDOR osiguranje for their support to Serbia’s top athletes for the second consecutive Olympic cycle. He stated:
“DDOR osiguranje recognizes athletes as role models and representatives of our society and truly values their results and successes. We are truly privileged to have such a sincere and reliable partner by our side. Dear media representatives, I would like to sincerely thank you as well because only with your support can we ensure quality promotion of the Serbian Olympic Team for the Games in Paris and create an atmosphere of genuine support for our team! Dear athletes, as always, I wish you good health above all, train diligently, and we are here to support you in achieving your best results at the greatest sporting event. I am confident that you will represent Serbia as ambassadors on the world stage and upon your return to Serbia, you will be welcomed as heroes of the nation, as you rightfully deserve”, said Mr. Maljković.
Representing the athletes, Damir Mikec, Serbia’s most successful shooter and winner of a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, addressed the media, saying:
“Firstly, I would like to thank the Olympic Committee of Serbia and DDOR osiguranje for organizing this event aimed at promoting and strengthening support for the Team, as well as for their absolute and unwavering support throughout the year. Participating in the Olympic Games is the dream and pinnacle of every athlete’s career. As someone who has participated four times in the Games so far, I can say that this feeling cannot be compared to anything else, and representing one’s country at the biggest sporting event is undoubtedly the greatest privilege. In Paris, we will compete not only for ourselves but also for every citizen of Serbia who has supported us on this journey. Stand by us and believe in us, because only with your support can we achieve new medals”, said Mikec.
The gathering of Olympians and media representatives is another joint action of the Olympic Committee of Serbia and DDOR osiguranje aimed at further supporting and promoting athletes, bringing them closer to the public, and creating an appropriate atmosphere for the biggest competition that awaits them.
At this moment, the Serbian Team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games consists of 81 athletes in 13 different sports: men’s and women’s basketball teams, men’s water polo team, women’s volleyball team, athletics (Ivana Španović, Milica Gardašević, Angelina Topić), men’s and women’s kayak four, swimming (Andrej Barna, Velimir Stjepanović, Nikola Aćin, Uroš Nikolić), wrestling (Stevan Mićić, Hetik Cabolov, Mate Nemeš, Aleksandar Komarov), shooting (Damir Mikec, Zorana Arunović), rowing (Jovana Arsić), taekwondo (Aleksandra Perišić), men’s 3×3 basketball team, boxing (Natalia Šadrina, Vakid Abasov, Sara Ćirković), and cycling (men’s and women’s quota).