BTA interview
![Sports Minister: Balkan Athlete of the Year Event Matters to Honor Today's Heroes]()
![Sports Minister: Balkan Athlete of the Year Event Matters to Honor Today's Heroes]()
Minister of Sports Dimitar Iliev at the 50th edition of the Balkan Athlete of the Year ceremony in Sofia, January 15, 2024 (BTA photo)
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
![BTA Director General: Balkan Athlete of the Year Award Shows Capability to Recognize Neighbours' Successes]()
site.btaSports Minister: Balkan Athlete of the Year Event Matters to Honor Today's Heroes
At the end of the Balkan Athlete of the Year ceremony held here on Monday, Minister of Sports Dimitar Iliev told BTA that today's big heroes are the athletes, which is why events such as this ceremony matter, as they celebrate the athletes' achievements. The award for first place went to Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and was accepted by Serbian Ambassador Zeljko Jovic on behalf of Djokovic.
Iliev said that all nominees are people that everyone admires. He added: "These people [athletes] are not having it easy right now. All eyes are on them. If they live feeling that the public expects too much, that would be so hard for them. I hope they give their best without [feeling pressure from those] huge expectations. Then things would work out. I think the state has taken care, so that the Bulgarian Olympians prepare well, train and recover. I am glad that we have created such an organisation and I just wish them to be healthy.
Asked whether he will support the Bulgarians at the Olympic Games in France in person, Iliev said: "Every country has a duty to support its athletes. For me, this is not just an obligation but also a great pleasure."
/RY/
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