Primorac is already collecting signatures: ‘Croatian sport is not in crisis’

“During the conversation with numerous Olympians, top athletes and sports workers, I received support to get involved in this important moment for Croatian sport with my knowledge and experience and to run for president of the Croatian Olympic Committee,” said Primorac after the presentation of the book “Medical genetics in clinical practice.

He pointed out that his whole life is connected with sports and recalled his many years of involvement in taekwondo, sports organizations and sports medicine.

He added that it is moreć started the process of collecting the signatures needed for candidacy and that in just a few days more than 30 sports associations received support, although 10 are needed for candidacy.

Primorac said that he would advocate for the unity of all Croatian sports and rejected divisions between sports. “There are no big or small sports, Olympic or non-Olympic. Every medal has the same value regardless of which sport it comes from,” he pointed out.

He emphasized that he sees Croatia as a sports superpower that can make a new step forward if all stakeholders in the sports system unite – from athletes and coaches to federations and experts.

Primor’s candidacy comes at a time when the Croatian Olympic Committee was left without a president after Zlatko Mateša resigned on May 21, citing moral responsibility as the reason. USKOK launched investigations into HOO as part of the money laundering scandal from the Croatian Ski Federation.

“Croatian sport is not in crisis. There may be individual problems that the competent bodies need to solve, but Croatian sport is national pride and one of the most recognizable Croatian brands in the world,” he said.

He especially emphasized the importance of transparency and clear criteria in the work of the Croatian Olympic Committee.

“Criteria, transparency and distribution of funds will be an absolute priority. No one can influence me, no one can buy, force or intimidate me to give up the path of truth, morality and the welfare of Croatian sport,” he said.

He also recalled the projects he carried out during his ministerial mandate, including the construction of school sports halls and the universal sports school program with the aim of involving as many children as possible in sports.

He emphasized that he wants to gather all parts of Croatian sports and use the experience of top athletes, coaches and sports workers in order to further improve the Croatian sports system.

“I will do everything to achieve absolute unity of all sports, regardless of their size or status. That is the fundamental idea of ​​my candidacy,” he concluded.

Earlier, Josip Varvodi, president of the Croatian Swimming Federation and cardiac surgeon KB Dubrava, entered the race for the head position of the HOO, reports 24sata.