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29.05.2011.
Montenegrin athletes arrives at the Games of the Small States of
Europe
Our
athletes were welcomed by President of the Montenegrin Olympic
Committee, Dušan Simonović and Chef de Misiion, former famous
volleybal player and member of national team, Igor Vušurović.
From 450 meter elevation, participants of the Games of the Small
Staes of Europe (volleyball nationa team, athletes, table tennis
players and one tennis player) headed to near by Malbun, ski
center(1650 m high), with view on Rhine river valley, and precisly
from one of the highest points of this Principality they will gather
strenght for obligations they will have in next few days.
Good treatment
- Everybody’s in a great mood, satisfied and I hope that they will
show thair quality at this competition. I will support them from the
stands with all my heart and I told them to win medals. I believe
that they will have a pleasant stay in this small country and that
they will show how big country Montenegro is among all those small
states of Europe and how grat its athletes are.
President
of MOC mentioned that organiser have provided our competitors
exceptional treatment.
-Some national teams are accomodated i Austria and Switzerland. On
the other hand, our participants got such accommodation only few
miles from the main center.
Last June, during the Games on Cyprus, at the MOC request,
Montenegro became member of the Small Staes of Europe family. On
that occasion, delegation of the MOC led by its President, mr
Simonović stayed in Cyprus.
-We may be the youngest, and not most numerous, but it is a
privilege to be accepted and to participate at the Games. Be became
member of this organisation, thanks to understanding of the
organisers and all small states of Europe. It couldn’t be any faster
– said Simonović. – We are here with small team, but I think its a
good measure.
Snow, Sun...
Two days ago, snow surprised some of the Chefs de Mission who
arrived to Lichenstein because of early obligations. Not the
organisers, though. Temperature is varying, our team was welcomed by
the Sun yesterday upon their arrival, but there are some indications
that the weather could change very soon. Ski center, where our
expedition is accommodated, has not much contents, two hotels,
restaurant, and that’s about it. However, it seems our group had
luck because some of the participants are accommodated in
surrounding countries. What to say about the capital city taht
happens to be the biggest one. It has six thousand inhabitants,
surrounding places are smaller, and in total Lichtenstein has 11
municipalities.
Which Montenegrin athletes are in Lichtenstein
Star
of the team is world junior champion Marija Vuković. She draw such
an attention that during the short walk through city center local
media literary assailed her. From athletes, here are also Slađana
Perunović participating in 5.000 and 10.000 m race, Danilo Ristić
(shot put and discus), table tennis player Irfan Čekić, Olympic
candidate, Luka Bakić and Sunčica Rogić, as well as tennis player
Ljubomir Čelebić. In team sports Montenegro will be represented by
volleyball team. This will be debut official appearance of the
selector of the volleyball team Ivan Joksimović. What are the
expectations of the selector Joksimović:
- Since there are lots of younger players on the team and the accent
is on base extension, I hope that we will be able to see how much we
succeeded in realisation of that program, and on the other hand,
what matters is affirmation of younger players in order to achieve
results in near future and compete in bigger sport events, such as
European Championship, through qualifications, and Mediterranean
Games 2013. Team is composed in such way that players are young but
experienced. There are players with great careers abroad, such as
Ćulafić who was in charge during the Games in Korea, Šuljagić who
playes in the toughest league – Italian and Marko Bojić who was best
player of the Greek championship.
Honor and stage fright
He
says he’s in a good shape, can’t wait to go out to play, he’s hoping
for one of the medals and that he’s specially honored to be in
selected company and to represent Montenegro at the Games. Ljubomir
Čelebić arrived to Zurich from Italy and there he joined rest of the
team.
-I’m in Italy at the moment, playing for a team in Serie B, but in
the meantime I played two tournaments, won one of them, retired from
another because wish to be here was greater than anything. After the
Games I’ll be bak to Italy where I’ll have a tournament per week in
next two months. On Tuesday, here will start the tournament, I’ll be
one of the group holders and I expect one of the medals, that’s my
aim and I will give my best. It’s a big challenge, positive stage
fright and big opportunity for affirmation of us participants.
N: Celebrant Rašović
Yesterday, volleyball player of Montenegrin national team Ivan
Rašović had a birthday. Even though only his team mates knew about
it, news spread very fast. Chef de Mission, Igor Vušurović and
assistant Zagorka Božović organized little celebration for our
player followed by small token of appreciation.
Everybody knows Marija
She’s
aware that everybody has great expectations.
How’s our star and world junior champion coping with pressure?
Marija Vuković doesn’t hide she has stage fright.
- I always have stage fright, pressure is bigger because evrybody
expects much from me, bigger is anxiety and because of that fear of
not succeeding. But, I practiced very well, I was in Belgrade for
three weeks and I hope to jump at leat 180! – All in all, it is
beginning of the season and I’m in full training, said Vuković.
Last June, she jumped 191 cm, right hight for world junior gold.
- I havent achieved that result since. In this season I jumped 180
indoor and 179 cm at outdoor competition though. I really hope that
this competition, climate and everybody’s support will be additional
motive. I’ll have a chance to see that on Wednesday. I cna’t say I
forgot to jump, but rutine can be forgotten in case athlete is not
competing very often.
Source "Arena"
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