The Croatian Olympic Committee is preparing for an extraordinary electoral assembly following the resignation of long-serving president Zlatko Mateša in May, amid ongoing investigations into alleged corruption within the organisation.
The governing body will elect a new president and council members to serve the remainder of the current term, which runs until October 2028. The extraordinary assembly is scheduled to take place in Zagreb on 29 July, with national sports federations already invited to submit nominations for the various positions.
Among the names expected to enter the race is former Minister of Science, Education and Sports Dragan Primorac. Current reports indicate that Primorac, who presently serves as president of the Croatian Taekwondo Federation, is preparing a bid for the committee’s highest office.
Primorac boasts a strong sporting background, having been a junior taekwondo vice-champion in former Yugoslavia. He later played a significant role in the development of the sport in Croatia, founding the first World Taekwondo Federation-affiliated club in the southern region of the country.
The upcoming election is expected to be closely watched as the Croatian Olympic Committee seeks new leadership during a challenging period for the organisation.
Primorac is a recipient of the Silver Plaque of the European Olympic Committee for his contribution to the development of sports. In 2019, he was appointed the President of the Medical Committee of the Croatian Football Federation and was later elected a member of the council of the Croatian Olympic Committee. A career scientist and politician, Primorac was a candidate for the 2024–25 Croatian presidential election.
Fellow federation head, Josip Varvodić, is also considering throwing his name in the hat. The president of the Croatian Swimming Association and cardiac surgeon reportedly has already garnered support from smaller associations. He currently serves as European Aquatics‘ first vice president.
While nothing is confirmed yet, candidates are expected to make an announcement soon, as they’ll have less than two months to campaign and complete the lengthy process to put forth their candidacy. At least ten signatures of the national Olympic committee’s full members are required, and each representative can support only one candidate for the President of the Croatian Olympic Committee.
