Water polo Serbia - Serbia Water Polo: Festive welcome to water polo players in the Belgrade City Assembly

Serbian Olympians who won medals at the world's largest sports competition in Paris were welcomed tonight in Belgrade. At the traditional meeting place, the balcony of the Belgrade City Assembly, there were athletes who delighted the nation with their exceptional sports performances.

Several tens of thousands of citizens gathered on the plateau in front of the Old Palace, where they greeted the Olympic medalists and their coaches with songs, chants and thunderous applause.

Our bronze basketball players, the pride of the nation who bravely defended the colors of Serbia on the world stage, were the first to step out onto the balcony, with the thunderous chanting of the crowd. Then it was the turn of our brave warrior, winner of the silver medal in taekwondo, Aleksandra Perišić, whose determination and fighting spirit once again confirmed the greatness of Serbian sport. The golden light on the balcony was brought by shooters Zorana Arunović and Damir Mikec, whose precision and steadfastness brought the highest shine to Serbia. The hearts of the people especially jumped when our three-time champions appeared, water polo players, guardians of the Serbian sports tradition, who once again conquered the world top with their exploits. At the very end, there was a moment that filled all those present with pride - the greatest Novak Djokovic, a symbol of Serbian strength and perseverance, greeted the enthusiastic crowd in front of the Belgrade City Assembly, closing this magnificent moment to remember.

"Good evening everyone, good evening Belgrade." I have had the honor and pleasure of being on this special balcony several times in my career, but each time you surprise and inspire me more and more, each of us here. You are not aware of how much strength and encouragement you give to come out here before you. This is the most beautiful experience that an athlete from Serbia can experience. Long live Serbia, let's go!" - said the best tennis player of all time, Novak Djokovic, addressing the audience from the balcony.

Basketball players Bogdan Bogdanović and Aleksa Avramović, water polo player Nikola Jakšić and selectors Uroš Stevanović, Damir Mikec, Zorana Arunović and Aleksandra Perišić expressed their gratitude to the audience and citizens of Serbia.

Aleksa Avramović: "People, this is worth living for! Thank you for coming to greet us. We were each other's inspiration, full support all these days, in Lille and Paris. Thank you very much, these five medals are the crown of everything we have been building all these years. Thank you very much and long live Serbia!"

Aleksandra Perišić: "Good evening Belgrade, good evening Serbia! Thank you all for coming to support us in such numbers. Our hearts are full that you are here. Thank you for being with us when we were having a hard time and when we were losing our will. You gave us the wind at our backs and the strength to endure everything. Thank you very much, long live Serbia!"

 Damir Mikec: "Good evening Serbia! Tonight is the official closing of the Olympic Games in Belgrade because I finally came home. It is a great honor to represent your country at the biggest sports show. Thank you for your support, my heart is full that we made you happy with this most brilliant medal."

Zorana Arunović: "I have to thank each of you. We felt your support at every moment. Thank you for believing in us even when we didn't believe in ourselves. This is not just our medal, this is the medal of each of you."

 Nikola Jakšić: "People, I really don't know what to tell you. I think it's all worth it because of this moment here. Thank you very much for coming in such numbers. You are wonderful, I hope we will have the opportunity to make you happy in the future. Thank you very much on behalf of the whole team. Thank you Serbia!"

Selector Uroš Stevanović: "Believe me, it is more difficult to come out here in front of you than to play the semifinals and finals of the Olympic Games." We watched the footage and saw how you cheered and got upset, and this is more golden than a gold medal. Thank you again for your support!”