Bosnia and Herzegovina has a rich sports tradition.

The Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo left an indelible mark in the hearts of our people and became an important part of the sports and cultural identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This event also inspires new generations, positively promoting our capital and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the world stage.

Our strategic interest is to bring back the former sports spirit and to become a sports-oriented nation again, in full capacity.

As the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Paris this year, I supported the Olympic team of Bosnia and Herzegovina represented by Lana Pudar, Aleksandra Samardžić, Larisa Cerić, Mesud Pezer and Jovan Lekić.

In the building of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, I organized receptions for the Olympic and Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I am glad that I was able to help our athletes in a concrete way, within the available funds.

It is time for the entire country to understand the importance of sports.

In the modern world, sport and sports diplomacy are among the key factors in the redistribution of political and economic power.

Modern sport, due to its popularity and media ubiquity, has become an instrument through which countries attract investments, thus strengthening their international reputation and influence.

We should be aware that in recent decades, in addition to classical diplomacy, sports, cultural, economic and other types of diplomacy have played an increasingly important role.

In the context of the above changes, we in Bosnia and Herzegovina should also recognize the positive effects of sport and sports diplomacy on creating a positive image of our country.

I would like to express special recognition to the athletes for their contribution to strengthening the atmosphere of trust and rapprochement.

The past testifies that sport has often played a positive role in spreading tolerance, peace, understanding and friendship between different peoples.

Sport is a universal phenomenon that transcends national, ethnic, religious and other borders.

Dear friends,

It is extremely important that we also develop inclusive sports programs.

Let us enable people with disabilities, as well as people from minority and marginalized groups, to actively participate, develop their talents and feel a sense of belonging to the community.

There are no impossible goals in sports.

Our swimmer Ismail Barlov is the best example of this. He brought the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina its first Olympic medal in its history, in the individual competition. Our brave boy, our Ismail, pushed the boundaries of what is possible, he is a true sports hero and the pride of our country.

I also express great respect to our sitting volleyball players, who have been winning Olympic and other medals for decades. They represent Bosnia and Herzegovina with honour and dignity.

We should all be proud of our sports heroine Lana Pudar. Thank you for her enormous effort and sacrifice, as well as for all the medals.

I also express my gratitude to all Olympians who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. They met the Olympic standards and represented our homeland with dignity among 206 countries.

Our men's senior national team in basketball brought tears of joy to our people with their recent victory over Croatia in Skenderija. Our basketball players leave their hearts on the court in every game and show everyone how to fight under the flag of their homeland.

Due to limited time, I have only highlighted a few successful individuals and teams, although there are many more athletes who deserve respect. You will be awarding some of them tonight. I congratulate them all on their successes and achievements.

These are our sports heroes, whom the entire society can look up to.

Dear friends,

we can all be proud of our athletes.

They give strength and positive energy to the entire country.

Please give them a big round of applause.

One of the universal moral authorities and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela said, "Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. "

In the wake of these words, let's awaken hope wherever we can.

Regardless of all the challenges, we do not lose hope.

Our sportsmen and women give hope and inspiration to all of us.

Let's be proud of them.

Let's support them.

Let's develop optimism together.

Let's invest more in sports and young people.

Let's testify with our actions that we can do better.

And let's not forget: Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country of the future.