The best swimmer from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Olympian Lana Pudar will continue her swimming career and education in the United States of America, at the American University of Virginia (The University of Virginia), it was announced at a press conference at the premises of the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Todd DeSorbo, head coach of the swimming team at The University of Virginia, as well as the head coach of the US women’s national team, will be in charge of her swimming career in the United States.
Our Olympian Lana Pudar expressed her pleasure at being part of the best swimming team in the world.
“I will do my best to justify this opportunity and to use it in the best possible way,” Pudar emphasized.
In addition to Lana, the press conference was addressed by the President of the BiH Olympic Committee Izet Rađo and Lana Pudar’s coach and manager Damir Đedović.
In his speech, Rađo emphasized that Lana has so far shown what work, sacrifice and love for her homeland mean, and with her results she has brought Bosnia and Herzegovina immense joy and pride.
“But today, along with pride, we also feel bitterness. Because Lana Pudar, a champion who carried the name of Bosnia and Herzegovina around the world, must continue her career outside the borders of her homeland, in search of what she did not have here: a swimming pool in her hometown of Mostar, and a serious sports environment,” emphasized Rađo.
The President of the BiH Olympic Committee said that Bosnia and Herzegovina has talent, has champions, has heart.
“What is still missing is a system that recognizes and builds the future through sport. It is time for athletes to no longer be left to their own devices and their own sacrifices. It is time for serious and sustainable sports development,” said Rađo.
Lana Pudar’s coach and manager Damir Đedović pointed out that he had been in talks and negotiations with people at the University of Virginia for a long time.
“The main condition was that Lana Pudar would have equal treatment as the best American swimmers. Also, one of the conditions was that I would have access to the training process, that I could participate in further development and education, because Lana would eventually return to BiH,” said Đedović.
Lana Pudar has been named the best female athlete of Bosnia and Herzegovina for three years in a row at a competition organized by the BiH Olympic Committee. She is a participant in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
She has won a total of 22 medals from major international competitions, including 11 gold, six silver, and five bronze, BHRT writes.
