On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (MOC) organised a panel discussion at the SIRO Boka Place Hotel in Tivat. The event brought together athletes, experts, and the public to highlight the importance of psychological preparation and emotional resilience in sport, as well as to open a dialogue on the challenges athletes face off the field.

The panel featured Olympic sailor and Chair of the MOC Athletes’ Commission, Milivoj Dukić; renowned handball player and Olympic silver medallist, Anđela Bulatović; and sports psychologist, Nikola Mijušković. The discussion was moderated by Maja Peković, Deputy Secretary General of the MOC.

Peković stressed that the MOC has for some time been developing educational programmes focused not only on the physical but also on the psychological preparation of athletes, emphasizing that mental health is the foundation of modern sport. She also announced the first Montenegrin Sports Forum, which will take place in Podgorica at the end of November and will bring together athletes, coaches and experts from Montenegro and the wider region.

Sailor Milivoj Dukić, who has competed in four Olympic Games, underlined that pressure is an inevitable part of professional sport. He believes that success depends on an athlete’s willingness to face themselves and to learn and adapt continuously.

“There is no magic wand that solves problems. Everyone must go through the process, get to know themselves and learn to recognize their own limits. The key to longevity in sport is flexibility, communication and the readiness to keep learning,” said Dukić.

The panel also addressed issues such as digital pressure, balancing career and private life, and the psychological challenges of retirement from sport. Participants agreed that mental strength does not mean the absence of emotions, but rather the ability to recognize and channel them appropriately.

The conclusion was for Montenegro that possesses outstanding sporting talent, but that further investment in education and support is essential to allow young athletes to grow in a healthy and safe environment.

The MOC announced that similar discussions and workshops will continue to be organised, with the conclusions and experiences to be presented at the upcoming Sports Forum in Podgorica.