Croatian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission 2024-2028 Holds Inaugural Meeting, Barbara Matić Elected President

Seven members participated in the session (Barbara Matić, Matea Parlov Koštro, Vedrana Malec, Helena Jurišić, Petar Gorša, Ivan Kvesić, and Natko Zrnčić Dim) out of a total of 11 members, with Blanka Vlašić (a member of the European Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission), Tin Srbić, Marko Bijač, and Filip Glavaš absent due to valid reasons.

In addition to reviewing the Commission’s Rules of Procedure and planning activities for the upcoming year, the commission unanimously elected the Paris gold medalist judoka Barbara Matić as its president, based on a written proposal by Tin Srbić. Matić is also a member of the Council and Vice President of the Croatian Olympic Committee.

The first session was led by Biserka Vrbek, the Croatian Olympic Committee Director of Legal and Status Affairs, and Hrvoje Balen, Director of the Office for Local Sports Programs, who welcomed the members on behalf of the Croatian Olympic Committee.

During the session, the Athletes’ Commission members highlighted issues and concerns affecting Croatian athletes, including scholarship amounts, educational subsidies, recognition of sports excellence, dual careers, and employment opportunities.

Ideas and proposals for the activity plan will be submitted electronically over the next ten days, and a second session of the Commission is planned for late November or early December.