Piše: RADICA JURKIN
Predsjednik WKF-a Antonio Espinos u HOO-u
Predsjednik Hrvatskog olimpijskog odbora Zlatko Mateša primio je u srpnju predsjednika Svjetske karate federacije (WKF) Antonija Espinosa, čelnika Hrvatskog karate saveza (HKS) Davora Cipeka te predsjednika HKS-ova odbora za veterane Vjekoslava Šafranića te s njima razgovarao o položaju karate športa na svjetskoj i nacionalnoj razini te o statusu karatea na Olimpijskim igrama. Povod razgovoru bila je odluka Međunarodnog olimpijskog odbora o jednokratnom uvrštavanju karatea u program OI u Tokiju 2020. godine, ali ne i trajno uvršćenje ovog atraktivnog borilačkog športa na budućim Igrama. Čelnik Svjetske karate federacije Espinos zatražio od predsjednika Mateše, koji je član Izvršnog odbora Europskih olimpijskih odbora, potporu ostanku karatea u programima višesportskih priredbi pod ingerencijom EOO-a, ponajprije Europskih igara (EI) na kojima se karate već dokazao kao vrlo atraktivna športska disciplina. Predsjednik Mateša je istaknuo da će se tek nakon analize EI u Minsku napraviti izbor športova za treće Europske igre u Poljskoj 2023., ali da će se HOO zalagati za ostanak karatea u programu Europskih igara, kao i Olimpijskih igara.
Pet hrvatskih odličja na 2. MI na pijesku
Na drugom izdanju Mediteranskih igara na pijesku u grčkom Patrasu, nastupilo je 20 hrvatskih športašica i športaša u šest sportova. Na svečanosti otvaranja, Dora Bassi hrvatski stjegonoša bio je kapetan reprezentacije u rukometu na pijesku Josip Leko, dok je na zatvaranju Igara hrvatsku zastavu nosila naša najuspješnija predstavnica Dora Bassi, Filip Strikinac trostruka osvajačica srebrnog odličja u ronjenju-plivanju s perajama (u disciplinama 50m AP, 100m i 200m SF). Njezin kolega iz reprezentacije Filip Strikinac donio je Hrvatskoj još i broncu (u disciplini 50m AP), a odličjem istoga sjaja okitili su se i naši rukometaši na pijesku. Bilo je finalnih nastupa i vrijednih ostvarenja i u drugim
WKF President Antonio Espinos at the Croatian Olympic Committee In July this year, the President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša received the President of the World Karate Federation (WKF) Antonio Espinos, Head of the Croatian Karate Federation (HKS) Davor Cipek and President of the HKS Veterans Committee Vjekoslav Šafranić and discussed with them the position of karate at the world and national level and on the status of karate at the Olympic Games. The reason for the interview was the decision of the International Olympic Committee on one-time inclusion of karate in the program of Tokyo Olympics 2020, but not on permanent inclusion of this attractive combat sports at the Games to come. The Head of the World Karate Federation Espinosa asked President Mateša, who is a member of the European Olympic Committees’ Executive Committee, to support the stay of karate in the programs of multi-sport events under the EOCs, primarily the European Games (EG) where karate has already proven itself to be a very attractive sports discipline. President Mateša pointed out that the selection of sports for the third European Games in Poland in 2023 shall follow yet after the analysis of the European Games in Minsk, but that the Croatian Olympic Committee will also be advocating for the stay of karate in European Games’ program, as well as in the program of the Olympic Games. Croatian House at the Croatian Embassy in Tokyo During the Tokyo Olympics (July 24th – August 9th, 2020), the Croatian House will be organized in the building of the Croatian Embassy in Tokyo. Thus the Croatian Olympic Committee - with all the assistance of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs - received a suitable and financially acceptable space which, during the Japan Olympics, will not only host the notables from sports, economic and cultural life of Croatia but which will also serve, we believe, for celebrating the achievements of the Croatian Olympians. The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Japan Dražen Hrastić reported the President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša on September 4th on the preparations of the Croatian House so far and expressed his confidence that – with small modifications and minimal investment – our Embassy in Japan will provide within a space that will satisfy all the needs of the “National House”. The President of the Croatian Olympic Committee Zlatko Mateša thanked his guest for the efforts he has made so far in the preparations and organization of the Croatian House and highlighted in particular the importance of this diplomatic-sports synergy that gives a new value to the sports-State relationship. He thanked in particular for kindness and understanding to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the Croatian Government Marija Pejčinović Burić, as well as the current Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. The meeting was also attended by the Croatian Olympic Committee Secretary General Josip Čop and his two assistants, Ranko Ćetković in charge of marketing and co-ordination of the House and Chef de Mission of the Croatian Olympic Delegation Damir Šegota.
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