At yesterday’s (March 19 2026) Executive Board session of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (NOC), key strategic and regulatory documents were adopted, marking an important step towards the modernisation and further development of the sports system in Montenegro.
The central focus of the session was the Strategic Document of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee for the period 2026–2030, which introduces a new approach placing athletes at the heart of all policies, programmes and decisions.
The Executive Board endorsed the Strategic Document, which will now be submitted to the Assembly of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee for consideration and adoption. Once adopted, it will enter into force and become the operational framework guiding the NOC’s activities throughout the current Olympic cycle.
Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening safeguarding mechanisms, enhancing medical and professional support, and reinforcing institutional accountability through the work of independent bodies, including the Disciplinary and Medical Commissions.
In addition to endorsing the Draft Strategy, the Executive Board adopted a set of important decisions and acts aimed at strengthening institutional integrity, improving governance standards, and further reinforcing athlete protection mechanisms. These include establishing a Disciplinary Commission, adopting a Medical Code and a Code of Conduct, and regulating commercial rights in preparation for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
Reports on participation in the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 were also reviewed, alongside matters related to financial and programme support for athletes.
The decisions adopted reaffirm the Montenegrin Olympic Committee’s commitment to building a modern, transparent and accountable sports system, where the safety, rights and long-term development of athletes are a priority.
“Our goal is for every athlete in Montenegro to have support not only for performance, but also for health, education and life after sport. Everything we do from today will be measured by one question: is it in the best interest of the athlete,” said Dušan Simonović, President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee.
Upon the proposal of the Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro, it was decided that Dragan Đurčić will be awarded the title of Meritorious Sports Professional at the next session of the NOC Assembly.
ABOUT THE STRATEGY
The 2026–2030 Strategy represents a significant step forward compared to previous strategic cycles, as it places athletes at the centre of the entire sports ecosystem for the first time in a systematic way.
Unlike earlier approaches, which were primarily focused on organisational structures and results, the new Strategy introduces the concept of the “Athlete Pathway”, covering the entire lifecycle — from first steps in sport to post-career transition.
This approach enables sport to be viewed not only through the lens of competition but also as a system that supports personal development, health, education, and the long-term social integration of athletes.
The Strategy is based on a modern model that integrates various dimensions of the sports system — from governance and performance to health, education and sustainability — into a single, interconnected framework.
Key priorities of the Strategy include:
- athlete safeguarding as a mandatory system standard,
- mental health and psychological safety,
- specific needs of female athletes and gender equality,
- dual careers and life-after-sport planning,
- application of science, medicine and analytics in sport,
- data-driven decision-making.
The Strategy clearly recognises that modern sport requires a holistic approach, where top performance is not the sole objective, but the result of a system that is safe, ethical and sustainable.
Its added value is reflected in the introduction of horizontal principles that apply across all areas of activity:
- athlete-centred system,
- evidence-based decision-making,
- partnerships and cross-sector cooperation,
- holistic athlete development,
- sustainability and good governance.
As an instrument for transforming the sports system in Montenegro, the Strategy also responds to key challenges identified through analysis, from limited capacities and funding to the need for digital transformation and strengthened institutional integrity.
It is designed to further affirm the role of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee as a driver of systemic change, while reinforcing athlete rights and supporting the development of a modern and sustainable sports system.
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