In the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina today was officially presented B&H team. The team will participate in the Third European Games in Krakow, Poland, from June 21 to July 2.
The numerous sports delegations of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be represented by a total of 75 members, including 55 athletes in eight sports – athletics (36 competitors), taekwondo (3), boxing (10), karate (1), canoe sprint (1), canoe slalom (1), shooting (2) and mountain biking (1). There will be 22 coaches.
Competitions in Krakow will also be European championships in athletics (team), canoeing (sprint and slalom) and mountain biking, and in some sports will be part of the qualifications for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
The games will be attended by more than 7,000 participants from 48 countries in Europe, who will compete in 26 sports in 29 sports disciplines, 18 of which are Olympic sports, during 12 competitive days.
For B&H the team will feature some of our best athletes, athletes Amel Tuka and Mesud Pezer, taekwondoist Nadžad Husic, boxer Džemal Bošnjak and others.
President of the Olympic Committee of B&H Milanko Mučibabić wished success to B&H’s athletes at the European Games who "won their participation with their results, dedication and behaviour".
You have to understand that you are our flagship and that you are under the watchful eye of the public. In a competition this big, you have to give 130 percent of your chances to be Europe and the world. Behind the Olympic Games, the European Games are the largest continental competition. This is our and your opportunity to make the first step – said Mučibabić in his address to the athletes.
He added that OC B&H with its work and dedication of all employees maximally engaged in order for athletes to have adequate equipment, a pleasant path and accommodation at this great competition, and called on all institutions of the state of B&H to "wake up and understand that athletes are both part of the state of B&H and its largest representative on the international scene".
The most represented B&H sport in Krakow will be athletics with as many as 36 athletes and 12 coaches. In his address, shot putter Mesud Pezer said the athletes were ready and would do their best at the upcoming Games. He thanked OC B&H for its great support, and called on the state authorities to help athletes throughout B&H, stating that our country has a lot of young talented athletes who need support.
The best B&H taekwondoist Nedžad Husić will perform in Karakow with two other members of B&H team.
"In the past 15 days we have had two very strong tournaments - the World Cup and the Grand Prix. We are certainly very ready; we have not lost that focus to continue our successful performance at the European Games – said Husic.
Shooter Nedžad Džanković said that B&H athletes in Karkow expect very strong competition and if any of them succeed in making a result, he should be congratulated for his talent, effort and sacrifice.
At the opening ceremony of the European Games, which is scheduled for June 21 at the Henryk Reyman Stadium in Krakow from 8.30 pm, the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be carried by taekwondoists Nedžad Husić and Ada Avdagić.