The Montenegrin Olympic Committee (MOC) is the umbrella sports organization in Montenegro, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the National Olympic Committee in 2007. Its mission is to represent Montenegro in the international sports arena, promote and cultivate Olympic values, support top sports development, and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Mission: Establishing a sustainable and efficient system for developing sports in Montenegro, promoting Olympic values and healthy lifestyles, and positioning MOC as the central sports organization in the country.
Vision: Sport as a driving force for the development of society, enabling the most talented individuals to advance and achieve top sports results while positioning Montenegro among the leading sports nations in the region.
Activities and achievements in the past year
In the past 12 months, MOC has implemented a series of activities aimed at improving sports in Montenegro. Some of the key activities include:
1. Support to athletes: MOC continued to support young athletes and the best athletes from the previous year, including national teams, through the Team Support Grant and the Olympic Solidarity Fund. Particular attention is paid to the candidates for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 and the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.
2. International competitions: Montenegrin athletes participated in the Mediterranean Beach Games in Heraklion and the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon. In less than 10 days, the Montenegrin Olympic team expects its fifth appearance at the Olympic Games, which are being held in Paris this year.
3. Training and development programs: To improve coaches’ skills and knowledge, scholarships and training were organized, as was a project to build administrative capacities in sports. Advanced and standard S2ABC courses for sports administration were conducted in cooperation with partners from the region and the EU.
4. Health protection programs for athletes: A cooperation agreement was signed with the Diagnostic Center “Fitrevolution” from Nikšić to develop programs for individual sports athletes. These programs will include measurements, tests, personalized nutrition plans, and fitness training.
Key initiatives
MOC is committed to continuous implementation of activities according to the Action Plan defined in the Strategy, with a particular focus on:
1. Professional sports: Continue to support young athletes and candidates for the upcoming Olympic Games, as well as coaches, through scholarships, training and development programs, physical and psychological evaluations, and personalized nutrition and training plans.
This year marked the commencement of the “Coaching+” project, which is dedicated to researching and educating on positive training methods. Its goal is to prevent people from quitting sports or being excluded for any reason.
The project, implemented as part of the Erasmus+ Sport program, is coordinated by the Montenegrin Olympic Committee in cooperation with partners: Sport Innovation Hub from Spain, G. d’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara University from Italy, and the Center for the Affirmation of Sport and Youth (CAMS).
The project’s goal is to promote new training methods that will make sports activities and the sports environment more inclusive for young people from all social backgrounds and improve the quality of training. It will use a positive methodology that can prevent dropouts and reduce obstacles to playing sports.
CoachingPlus is one of only five projects financed through last year’s Erasmus+ call for capacity building in sports.
The project places specific emphasis on minority groups, vulnerable populations, and individuals at risk of social exclusion. The objective is to promote inclusivity and create opportunities for all young people to actively engage in sports activities.
The project will involve an analysis of the needs of Montenegrin coaches and athletes. An evidence-based educational program will be developed to address these needs.
As part of the project, a mentoring camp for sports and youth will be organized. The Center for the Affirmation of Sports and Youth (CASY) will supervise the camp. Partner organizations and trainers, certified through training, will work together to define the camp’s schedule and activities, which will include various sports and educational activities.
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee and the Kotor Rotary Club organized the “Together to Paris 2024” initiative to raise funds for the purchase of modern medical equipment for athlete rehabilitation.
2. International cooperation: strengthening connections with other national Olympic committees and sports organizations, as well as actively participating in international sports competitions and organizations such as IOC, ANOC, EOC, ICMG, and others.
3. Schools, student and recreational sports: Integration of sports into school programs and promotion of physical activity through projects such as “365 Days to Paris” and “RetrOlympics,” “One Changes the World,” and “Olympic Education in Schools,” with the support of educational institutions and partners.
4. Women in sport: Promotion of gender equality and increased participation of women in sport through health projects and leadership programs for women.
Continuation of the “Health Protection of Female Athletes” project in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This initiative aims to improve the health care and performance support provided to female athletes, starting at a young age. We are committed to supporting the long-term health and success of female athletes by providing a dedicated medical team and promoting collaboration between medical and sports personnel. In partnership with Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, we will commence training for medical personnel and sports associations in Montenegro in October of this year. Additionally, we will be developing the sportiskinje.me portal in the coming months, which will serve as a comprehensive resource for information related to the health of female athletes.
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee (MOC) signed the IWG Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration in October last year, reaffirming its commitment to creating more opportunities for women and girls to participate in sports at all levels.
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee continues to contribute to the development of sports in Montenegro, promote healthy lifestyles, and represent Montenegro on the international sports scene. Its aim is to achieve top sports results and strengthen the Olympic movement.
STATEMENTS, Dušan Simonović, President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee
#1
“The Olympic Games in Paris are a symbol of hope, peace, and unity.” During times of global tensions and conflicts, the Olympics serve as a reminder of the universal values embodied in sports and Olympism. They provide a platform that brings together people from diverse cultures and nations, transcending political, social, and economic barriers.
The president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, frequently stresses the significance of sports as a bridge that connects people and nations. In line with his sentiments, the Olympic Games in Paris stand as a symbol of resilience and hope. Despite the numerous challenges the world encounters, the spirit of Olympism motivates and unites people, fostering mutual understanding and solidarity.
The Paris Games can demonstrate how sports can be a force for good, bringing joy and inspiration to billions around the world. It is the ability of sports to inspire and connect people globally that makes it a powerful tool for positive change in society. The Olympic community wants to send a clear message: that, despite all the challenges, we can overcome obstacles together, celebrate our differences, and build a better, more peaceful world. Sport has the power to unite and inspire, and through these Games, we want to remind humanity of that power and the importance of unity and peace.
#2
“The participation of Montenegrin athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is a remarkable achievement, particularly for a small country like Montenegro. Our athletes rank among the top 10,500 in the world, which is an extraordinary accomplishment in itself. During the qualifications, Montenegrin athletes demonstrated exceptional commitment and achieved significant success despite intense international competition. Their presence on the world’s biggest sports stage serves as a testament to their talent and determination.
The stories of our athletes, their personal struggles, and the challenges they overcame on the way to the Olympic Games testify to their incredible perseverance, as well as the support they received from the Montenegrin Olympic Committee. This year, we had the opportunity to have a basketball team at the Games for the first time in history, but due to a surprising lack of sporting luck at critical moments, we were left without that opportunity. Nevertheless, I am proud of the team and the achievements of coach Boško Radović. I believe that with him at the head of the Montenegrin basketball team, we can expect more great results in the future.
Our water polo team will be participating in the Olympic Games for the fifth time, and they have always been competitive for medals. Our competition group at the Games will be tough, but I have faith in our team. Additionally, we have the amazing Milivoje Dukić, our sailor, who is a true role model of a top athlete. With his dedication to the sport and his enthusiasm, I am confident that he will achieve a remarkable result in France.
In addition, so far, we have received wild cards for tennis player Danka Kovinić, swimmers Milenkovic and Kuljača, our great boxing hope Bojana Gojković, and the great athlete Darko Pešić. All of them are exceptional athletes with notable achievements. Their participation in the Olympic Games further confirms the strength and potential of Montenegrin sports and inspires new generations to follow in their footsteps”.
In spite of this being an Olympic year, which is challenging in itself, especially considering that only four people work in the Secretariat of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, we were determined not to abandon the projects we started earlier and the ambitious plans outlined in the MOC Strategy Action Plan until 2026.
We are working on improving coaches’ skills and knowledge through scholarships and training and on raising the level of expertise of administrative staff through a project to build administrative capacities in sports. In cooperation with partners from the countries of the region and the EU, we have organized advanced and standard S2ABC courses for sports administration. A total of 14 sports administrators from Montenegro will receive training in sports administration through European courses. In September, all 40 participants will visit Montenegro, and a graduation ceremony will be organized.
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee has received funds from Olympic Solidarity to train 20 sports administrators through the IOC’s sports administration course, which will start in the next few months. This year also marked the start of the “Coaching+” project, which focuses on researching and educating methods for a positive coaching approach. The goal is to prevent people from giving up on sports or being excluded for any reason. The project will involve analyzing the needs of Montenegrin coaches and athletes and developing an evidence-based educational program to address those needs. As a part of the project, a mentoring camp for sports and youth will be organized.
As part of MOC’s comprehensive strategy, various activities were conducted in collaboration with partners and educational institutions. The project “One Changes the World” was implemented with the support of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, One, and Sport Vision companies, along with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation. Eight primary schools across Montenegro received new sports equipment and had the opportunity to participate in physical education lessons with Montenegrin Olympians.
The second phase of the project, “One Changes the World,” included the organization of a big cross-country race on Ćemovsko polje in Podgorica, in which almost 500 children participated.
An initiative has been submitted to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation to begin implementing the OVEP educational program developed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This program aims to promote Olympic values and healthy lifestyles for school-aged children and encourage the development of positive values in both male and female students. MOC has already provided translated materials and resources for teacher training.
COK is committed to providing a safe environment for playing sports. After adopting the Protection Policy, we also implemented a Code of Ethics and appointed a certified Protection Officer. We have provided recommendations to the Ministry of Sports and Youth regarding the National Strategy for the Development of Sports, with a focus on protecting athletes and maintaining the integrity of sports. Additionally, we are cooperating with the IOC on the “Protection of the health of female athletes” project to enhance the healthcare services available to female athletes.
MOC has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Sports and Youth to strengthen collaborative efforts in promoting sports, physical activity, and engaging with the youth. Additionally, cooperation agreements were reached with the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA) and the University of Donja Gorica to promote sports and support athletes in pursuing dual careers.
The first activity under the Cooperation Agreement between MOC and MASA will be organizing a two-day international meeting in October this year on the topic “Olympism in Montenegro: History and Modernity.”
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee, with the support of the Secretariat for Sport of the Capital City of Podgorica and Olympic Solidarity, organized a celebration of Olympic Day. The event included various sports activities and quizzes about Olympic values and provided an opportunity for the youth to interact with Olympians and sports stars. In addition, the International Refugee Day was symbolically observed in cooperation with UNHCR. This allowed children from refugee families, stateless children, or children at risk – to participate in sports activities and compete with their peers from Montenegro. In a world where over 120 million people have been forcibly displaced, sport serves as a universal and popular tool among young people to counter the progression of conflict by strengthening community cohesion. Sport plays a vital role in the social development, inclusion, cohesion, and well-being of displaced persons and can significantly contribute to peacebuilding and integration into new communities.
Also, during the Olympic Day, the Montenegrin Olympic Committee hosted partners from 7 EU countries and the Western Balkans who participated in the “Friendship Club,” a joint action to promote foundational values among children and communities. This collaborative initiative is part of the Erasmus+ project Sports as Value. Its goal is to incorporate positive values into sports and foster stronger communities while promoting EU values.
The project “Women4Sport”, funded by the European Union, aimed to enhance women’s capacity in sports management and decision-making in the Western Balkans has been initiated. The Erasmus+ project “Women4Sport” is of exceptional importance as it promotes gender equality in top management and leadership positions of Olympic committees in the Western Balkans countries.
A joint initiative of the Government of Montenegro, the Capital City of Podgorica, and the Montenegrin Olympic Committee was launched – the construction of the Olympic House, the Olympic Museum, and the Olympic Park in Podgorica.
The Committee for Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Parliament of Montenegro initiated a thematic session titled “Improvement of sports legislation, financial sustainability of the sports sector, and promotion of Olympic values.” The topics of the session included changes to the Law on Sports, adoption of the new National Strategy for the development of sports in Montenegro 2024-2028, financing of sports in Montenegro, and the introduction of Olympic education in primary schools (OVEP program of the International Olympic Committee).
The upcoming Seminar of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in Budva, which will take place at the end of September, is set to be the biggest event of the year following the Olympic Games. It will last three days and is expected to attract over 200 participants.
These are just some of the activities that we have implemented or will be implementing this year. All of these initiatives and activities demonstrate our dedication not only to the Olympic movement but also to the long-term development of sports in Montenegro. Our goal is to create opportunities for all young people and promote positive values through sports.