Only a few days remain until the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Mayor Erion Veliaj of Tirana welcomed six athletes from Albania’s Olympic team who are part of the Sport Club Tirana. Veliaj highlighted that investments in sports disciplines are yielding positive results.

“I wish success and, of course, medals to the six athletes from Tirana. I am very hopeful about the investments the Municipality of Tirana has made in strengthening the club, as evidenced by 75% of the Olympic team coming from Sport Club Tirana. This investment isn’t just in individual names but in the entire sports culture. It truly warms my heart to see how we have popularized sports, especially since Tirana held the title of European Capital of Sport,” said Veliaj.

Our champion in athletics, Luiza Gega, expressed that under Veliaj’s leadership, sports investments have increased.

“The Olympic Games are a dream for every athlete. I am confident that the whole team will give their utmost. Of course, we always aim for better results, but competition is competition. Since Erion took office in the Municipality of Tirana, things have changed significantly in terms of support, at least for me. I am immensely grateful and sure that just as children participating in athletics have increased, so will the high level in this sport, given Tirana’s abundant infrastructure,” said Gega.

Veliaj emphasized that our athletes’ successes and infrastructure improvements have led to a surge in sports participation, attracting more young men and women. The Mayor stated that now, not only are our athletes not leaving the national team, but many talents from other nationalities also want to represent the red and black colors.

“I remember the 1990s when many Albanian athletes competed under a different flag, whereas today, for various reasons, foreign athletes choose our flag. This change is for the better, increasing competitions and internal races, with experiences coming from different countries. Our Olympic team will be cosmopolitan, reflecting different origins, just like our city, cosmopolitan,” he added.

Veliaj assured that all measures have been taken for our Olympic team to have dignified conditions in Paris. “I am confident that we will do our utmost for a dignified representation of a small country, but in those few disciplines where we are represented, we have indeed brought the best,” he declared.”

/k.s/