The Italian Ambassador to Serbia, Luca Gori, hosted in his residence an event entitled “Playing Together: Sport as a Bridge Between Italy and Serbia”, highlighting the role of sport in strengthening bilateral relations, international cooperation and friendship.

The event also celebrated the historic achievement of Serbian athletes at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, where Serbia won a record 36 medals.

In the opening session, Ambassador Luca Gori and Dejan Tomašević, President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, underlined the importance of sporting excellence and cooperation between the two countries. Tomašević highlighted the significance of the results in Taranto as an incentive for Serbian athletes in their preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Two panel discussions explored the wider impact of sport. The first, “Sport as a Driver of Local Community Development”, examined how sport can bring communities together and promote international cooperation. Speakers included Silvia Marara, Rosanna Ciuffetti and Olympic medallist Sonja Vasić.

The second panel, “Sport on the Global Stage”, focused on the international impact of major sporting events, their legacy and their contribution to visibility and inclusion. Participants included Veronica Pezzarossi of the Italian Paralympic Committee and Bojan Jaćimović, Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee of Serbia.

The ceremony also honoured Serbian athletes who contributed to the country’s success in Taranto, including Adriana Vilagoš (athletics), Strahinja Dragosavljević, Veljko Vještica and Žarko Jakovljević (canoe sprint), Nikolaj Pimenov (rowing) and Andrea Stojadinov (judo).