The traditional jumps from the Old Bridge in Mostar, the 457th in a row, will take place on Sunday, July 30, starting at 4 p.m., and jumpers from the entire region who have been following Mostar’s jumps for many years are expected.
Jury President Alica Jakirović said at the press conference held today in Mostar that jumpers compete in two disciplines, in two series.
According to him, the jury was formed by veteran jumpers, who participated in multi-year competitions and won prizes, and it consisted of Irfan Milavić, Samir Zukanović, Semir Drocić and Branko Bogičević.
The president of the “Mostari” Diving Club, Lorens Listo, said that they have a new Mostar swallow, and it is Ahmet Stupac.
“I hope he will jump this year even though he had a small injury. We are waiting for a follow-up examination with a doctor,” revealed Listo.
After 10 years, he added, we have someone from Mostar to jump the Mostar swallow.
Adela Gosto, a member of the Presidency of the “Mostari” Diving Club, explained that the number of divers will only be known on July 30 at 1:00 p.m. when the medical examinations are completed.
“In the last few years, we have had 20 jumpers on their feet and 20 jumpers on their heads. Jumpers are coming from the region, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia. We expect standard jumpers, who have been following the Mostar jumps for many years,” said Gosto.
She announced that the slaufijada will be held on July 29 and 30 at 1 p.m. and that so far they have 10 registered teams, but, as she stated, that number always increases because teams can register until the event itself.
She also thanked the City of Mostar for their support because, as she pointed out, they recognized the importance of traditional jumps from the Old Bridge for tourism, culture and sports.
The President of the Sports Association of the City of Mostar, Senad Kevelj, said that jumpers are an integral part of the Old Bridge and that jumping is not just a competition, but that it is the history of Mostar, Herzegovina and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We who live here know the importance of both the Old Bridge and the Jumper,” said Kevelj.
He praised the organization of the jumps, pointing out that it is getting better and more functional every year.
“The sports association has been supporting jumps for the past 15 years, and for the last two years, together with the City of Mostar, we have increased these activities, primarily financial, and we will continue to do so in the future,” concluded Kevelj.
