Olympic champions from '68 in Zagreb
The tradition continues, lasting not for years, but for decades. Just like their friendship.
In fact, the generation of water polo players who won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Ciudad de Mexico 56 years ago regularly gathers once a year for a common gathering, reminiscing about the old days, exchanging information about the present, and strengthening their friendship.
That was the case this past Friday, October 25th in Zagreb when the remaining four gold medalists from Mexico - Ozren Bonačić, Karlo Stipanić, Đorđe Perišić, and Zlatko Šimenc gathered. First, they remembered those who are unfortunately no longer with us, and visited the graves of Ive Trumbić, Ronaldo Lopatny, Miroslav Poljak, Zdravko Hebel…
Then together, whether with their wives or children, they went to one of the cult places in Zagreb, the Okrugljak restaurant. Alongside the Olympic immortals from Mexico, there were also Dubravko Šimenc and Iva Šimenc (children of Zlatko Šimenc), Dubravka Poljak (wife of Miroslav Poljak), Maja Lena Lopatny (daughter of Roni Lopatny), Ines Bonačić Dražić (daughter of Ozren Bonačić), Davor Seifert (son of Aleksandar Cošo Seifert, legendary coach of the national team), as well as the wife of Đorđe Perišić.
Years go by, but their friendship, just like the golden glow of the Olympic medal from faraway Mexico, still shines.