The EKO Olympic Journey exhibition bears witness to the history and legacy of the Olympic Games and represents a moment of great pride, said the President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (MOC), Dušan Simonović. The EKO Olympic Journey exhibition, which opened today at the Radio Television Montenegro gallery, represents a kind of showcase of the history of the Montenegrin Olympic journey - from 2008 in Beijing to 2021 in Tokyo. Almost 16 years ago, the flag of Montenegro was first raised at the Olympic Games, and 20 athletes, led by Veljko Uskoković, paraded at the Bird's Nest Stadium. Since then, 120 girls and boys have represented Montenegro at the Summer Olympic Games and nine at the Winter Olympics. In London in 2012, the first medal, a silver one, was won by the Montenegrin women's handball team. The history is presented through a museum exhibition, and visitors can see Olympic artifacts such as torches, Olympism, and the Olympic movement symbols from both the Summer and Winter Games, photos of Montenegro's Olympic teams, and the historic silver medal from London. Simonović, opening the exhibition, said that the exhibited artifacts represent a treasure trove of memories that tell the story of the dedication of Montenegrin athletes, their hard work, and tireless pursuit of excellence on the world stage. "We have gathered today to celebrate the spirit of Olympism, to pay tribute to the achievements of our athletes, and to express our gratitude to our reliable partner and sponsor, Jugopetrol EKO gas stations, who have been our long-standing support on every Olympic journey," Simonović said. The President of MOC emphasized that the support of this company has not only enabled the exhibition but has also played a crucial role in promoting the spirit of sports and Olympism throughout Montenegro. "From torches to medals, from official uniforms to photos of unforgettable moments in our Olympic history, this exhibition represents the essence of the Olympic movement," Simonović said. He also highlighted that today's event is a fantastic introduction to a visionary project - the beginning of constructing the Olympic House and Olympic Museum in Podgorica. "This grand project will testify to our enduring commitment to Olympic values and the idea of Olympism. It will be a place where the stories of our athletes, their triumphs, and challenges will be engraved into the core of our national heritage. It will inspire future generations, nurturing the dreams of young talents who aspire to represent Montenegro on the Olympic stage," Simonović said. Simonović stated that MOC continues to promote the Olympic spirit and support athletes while preserving the values that the Olympic Games represent. "Together, we can create a legacy that will transcend generations and leave an indelible mark on the history of Montenegrin sports. Thank you, and may the Olympic spirit continue to shine brightly in our hearts and our nation," Simonović concluded. The gallery exhibition will be available to the public, sports organizations, elementary schools, and all interested parties until February 29, every working day from 10 am to 6 pm. A member of the champion generation of the golden lionesses, Katarina Bulatović, said that with her medal, she wanted to contribute to the exhibition and allow visitors to see that exhibit up close. "So far, it's the only one, but I hope our athletes will win more medals at the Olympic Games. The exhibition is a great opportunity for us to remember that historical success. It's a chance to see what we have done and how much we have achieved, to go back in time and relive a part of what we experienced," Bulatović said. The Executive Director of Jugopetrol AD - EKO gas stations, Vasilis Panagopoulos, stated that the company is proud to be part of the opening of the Olympic Museum exhibit, demonstrating Montenegro's sports competence and the resilient spirit of our athletes. "Standing united to support this endeavor, we align with our commitment to developing sports excellence and the community. This museum exhibit doesn't just celebrate medals and memorabilia; it also pays tribute to dedication, passion, and triumphs that define our country's Olympic and sports legacy," Vasilis Panagopoulos said. He emphasized that they continue impacting dreams and inspiring future generations to reach greater heights. "Congratulations to the Montenegrin Olympic Committee and athletes on their outstanding achievements. Good luck at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024," Panagopoulos said. The Director of the Directorate for Sports at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Zoran Jojić, said that everything presented at the exhibition is a source of immense pride for Montenegro. "This is also a testament to the partnership between the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the National Olympic Committee, with whom we tirelessly work together to provide our athletes with the resources and opportunities they need to achieve top results on the international stage," Jojić said. He highlighted that the exhibition marks the beginning of a significant project - the construction of the Olympic House in Podgorica. "On behalf of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, I would like to thank all the athletes who proudly carried our country's flag and each of you who joined us in building a better sports environment in Montenegro. Together, let's embark on this extraordinary adventure with renewed enthusiasm, eagerly anticipating the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, the opening of the Olympic House and Olympic Museum, and further successes of Montenegro on the world sports scene," Jojić said. The ceremonial opening was attended by the Minister of Sports and Youth, Dragoslav Šćekić, the Secretary for Sports of the Capital City, Miloš Antić, athletes, sports officials, and the leaders of national sports associations.
