On the occasion of the Balkan Senior Athletics Championships, which will be held this Saturday at the Athletics Hall in Banjica, we spoke with the President of Balkan Athletics and President of the Serbian Athletics Federation, Slobodan Branković, about the importance of the competition, the development of athletics in the region, and expectations for the Serbian team.
Belgrade is once again hosting the Balkan Senior Athletics Championships. How significant is it that the Balkan Championships are being held in Serbia, and what does that say about our country’s position in regional athletics?
– It is a great honor and responsibility to host the Balkan Championships, as this competition brings together the best athletes in the region and represents one of the most important events in the Balkan Athletics calendar. The fact that the Balkan Championships are once again being held in Belgrade confirms that Serbia has the capacity, infrastructure, and organizational experience for top-level international competitions. In recent years, our country has become a recognized center of athletics in the region, which makes us particularly proud.
A large number of participants and strong national teams are expected. How do you assess the quality of this year’s Balkan Championships and the development of athletics in the region in recent years?
– We expect close to 300 athletes from 21 countries, which speaks to the strength and importance of this championship. The quality of the Balkan Championships has been growing year by year, and the region has an increasing number of top athletes winning medals at European and World Championships. Today, Balkan athletics represents a strong and competitive whole within the European framework, and competitions like this further raise the level and motivation of athletes.
Serbia will compete with a strong team led by Ivana Španović and a number of young athletes. How important is it that, alongside top champions, we also have a new generation emerging?
– This is extremely important for the continuity of results and the future of Serbian athletics. We have a proven world-class champion such as Ivana Španović, but also a large number of young athletes who are already achieving notable results and knocking on the door of the European stage. This combination of experience and youth gives stability to the national team and inspires optimism that Serbia will continue to play a significant role in regional and European athletics in the years ahead.
The Athletics Hall in Banjica has already established itself as a host of major international competitions. How do infrastructure and organizational experience contribute to the development of athletics in Serbia and the region?
– Modern infrastructure is one of the key prerequisites for the development of elite sport. The Athletics Hall in Banjica has enabled Serbia to organize major international competitions during the winter season, while also providing our athletes with world-class training conditions. This has a huge impact on results, but also on the promotion of athletics among young people. At the same time, through organizing competitions we gain valuable experience that ranks us among reliable hosts in European athletics.
The Balkan Championships in Belgrade will also be attended by the President of European Athletics, Dobromir Karamarinov. How important is the arrival of the head of European athletics for Serbia and regional athletics?
– The visit of the President of European Athletics, Dobromir Karamarinov, represents great recognition for Serbia, but also for Balkan athletics. It confirms that our competitions are organized at a high professional level and that the region is playing an increasingly important role in European athletics. The presence of the head of the European athletics governing body further enhances the prestige of the Balkan Championships and sends a strong message of trust in our work, organization, and the development of athletics in Serbia.
The Balkan Senior Athletics Championships will be held this Saturday at the Athletics Hall in Banjica, starting at 11 a.m., with around 300 competitors from 21 countries taking part. Admission for spectators is free.
