The Montenegrin Olympic Committee and the COC Athletes’ Commission, with the support of Olympic Solidarity and the European Olympic Committees (EOC), are organising the Montenegrin Athlete Forum, which will take place on Friday, 21 November 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Podgorica, starting at 10:00 AM.
The Forum will be officially opened by:
- Dušan Simonović, President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COC)
- Dragoslav Šćekić, Minister of Sports and Youth
- Milivoj Dukić, President of the COC Athletes’ Commission
- Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (VIDEO address)
For the full agenda and more information about the Forum, visit the following link: Montenegrin Athletes’ Forum.
Through panels, presentations and workshops, the Forum will address six key areas for the systemic development of sport: Athletes’ rights and decision-making roles, Mental health and psychological preparation, Integrity in sport and anti-doping, Dual careers: education and post-career transition, Sports performance and artificial intelligence, Long-term development: quality sport for life.
The Forum will bring together athletes, national federations, institutions, academics, coaches, sponsors, international organisations, and representatives from the civil sector, with the goal of developing clear recommendations and documents — including the Athletes’ Rights Declaration.
Montenegrin Athletes’ Forum, AGENDA – 21 November 2025
09:30 – 10:00 | Registration of participants
10:00 – 10:15 | Opening Remarks
- Dušan Simonović, President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COC)
- Dragoslav Šćekić, Minister of Sports and Youth
- Milivoj Dukić, President of the COC Athletes’ Commission
- Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (VIDEO address)
10:15 – 10:35 | Fit for the Future, Ayako Ito, International Olympic Committee (IOC)
10:35 – 11:35 | Panel: Athletes’ Rights and Decision-Making
- Andrija Popović, Secretary General of the COC
- Milivoj Dukić, President of the COC Athletes’ Commission
- Ksenija Ivanović Božović, Director of Women’s National Teams, Volleyball Federation of Montenegro
- Sonja Barjaktarović, Handball Coach
11:35 – 12:35 | Panel: Mental Health and Psychological Preparation
- Prof. Dr Ljubica Bačanac, Sports Psychologist
- Milena Raičević, Handball Player
- Stefan Vidović, Water Polo Player
- Nikola Mijušković, Sports Psychologist
12:35 – 12:50 | Break
12:50 – 13:50 | Presentation: Quality Sport – A Long-Term Development Approach, André Lachance, Director of Casting and Human Performance, Cirque du Soleil
13:50 – 14:30 | Presentation: Preparation Programme for Los Angeles 2028
- Marko Marjanović, ARTIFIT Belgrade
- Igor Ognjenović, FITREVOLUTION Nikšić
14:30 – 15:30 | Panel: Dual Careers
- Jovana Peković Raičević, Judoka
- Damjan Danilović, President of the Padel Federation of Montenegro
- Denis Čekić, University of Donja Gorica
Krsto Vukadinović, President of Basketball Club Morača
