Excellent results and good impressions – that is the result of the work done by the Universiade sports and technical teams at the Artur Takac Memorial, the last test competition before the upcoming 25th Summer Universiade. The help of Universiade volunteers was once again immeasurable.
The fourth international athletic meeting, Artur Takac Memorial fulfilled all expectations of both organizers and guests. The Memorial is named after Artur Takac, a long-term sports official, honorary member of IAAF and one of the founders of AC Partizan.
The President of Serbia’s Olympic Committee, Vlade Divac, opened the traditional athletic competitions at “Partizan” stadium. ‘It is an honor for me to be at an event celebrating the founder of athletics in Serbia. An athletic meeting of this kind is an ideal chance for our children to see why athletics is the most popular Olympic sport and for our competitors and organizers to test their mettle and resources for the upcoming Universiade.’
Deputy Premier of Serbia and President of the Organizing Committee, Ivica Dacic could not hide his satisfaction. ‘The Artur Takac Memorial is the spectacle Belgrade needs. This is also a way of paying the debt of gratitude to late Artur Takac and his family. All thanks to the organizers of this meeting. Tomorrow we will start preparations for the fifth Artur Takac Memorial’, said Ivica Dacic. ‘The Artur Takac Memorial was a useful test run for the Universiade. I am now certain that the Universiade will be a success, that we will see some spectacular results and that the Games will be held in a completely safe environment’, Minster of the Interior Ivica Dacic stated.
The young javelin thrower, Tatjana Jelaca triumphed at the 4th Artur Takac Memorial. Jelaca won the only gold medal for Serbia and exhilarated athletics aficionados with her 58.50m throw. ‘I fulfilled my objective. The result equals to my personal record. My most dangerous opponents were Yakovenko of Russia and Sabo of Hungary. In my third attempt I threw 58.50m and I was sure that my fourth attempt would be better. Apparently I lost concentration; but overall, I am satisfied’, Tatjana Jelaca said, who left immediately after the meeting for her prom night.
The Serbian star athlete, Oliver Jeftic came fourth in 5,000m run and clocked 15:28:38. ‘The finish decided placements between the second and the fourth place. I did not wish to risk an injury, since in a week’s time I am to run 10,000m run at the European Cup in Portugal. This has been a good test run for the half marathon’, Jeftic said.
The fourth Artur Takac Memorial had two record breaking results:
Andy Turner in 110m Hurdles – 13.26 (former record holder is Dominic Arnold – 13.36) and Funmi Jimoh in Long Jump – 6.72 (former record holder is Nolie Graham – 6.65). ‘I am delighted to have won and to have broken the record. I was impressed with the spectators rooting for us, but also with the fact that you are looking out for the young people. It was a very good idea to start competitions with a children’s runs’, Andy Turner said.
American Stephanie Durst justified expectations in the 100m run. ‘It was a good run. I am satisfied with the result – 11.27. I am really glad to be in Serbia. This is my third time here. Serbia agrees with me.’
Simon Williams could not hide his happiness after triumphing in the men’s shortest run. ‘It was very cold, but with the help of this wonderful auditorium I managed to gather enough strength to forget about the cold. I love this meeting and I swear I’ll keep coming every year’, Williams said.
Canadian Dylan Armstrong, who was fourth in the Olympic Games in shot put, fulfilled the promise he made at the press conference. ‘I knew I could make a good throw and I did. It was a little colder this year than it was the previous time I was here. However, I am satisfied with my result, with the organization and I will certainly come next year’, Dylan Armstrong said.
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