Drasko Brguljan stands as an emblem of Montenegrin water polo, sportsmanship, and Olympism. He and Aleksandar Ivović are the only athletes from Montenegro who have competed in every Olympic Games since the nation joined the Olympic movement. Even at 39 years old, Draško remains an active member of the water polo team and may participate in Paris for the fifth time this summer at the premier global sports event.

In an exclusive interview with the Montenegrin Olympic Committee’s magazine, he reflected on his experiences in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo—13 years filled with Olympic aspirations.

Beijing 2008

Simply qualifying for the Olympic Games was an extraordinary achievement, especially since we were the reigning European champions at that time. As the youngest member, gaining a place on the team heading to Beijing was challenging.

Successfully making the team, arriving in Beijing, and stepping into the Olympic village provided an unparalleled sensation that every athlete dreams of. In those moments, I thought to myself, “Every effort was worthwhile; you’ve earned this through dedication.” You made it…

I’ve clinched medals at significant competitions, and those will always be cherished memories, but the Olympics hold a unique significance. Even if it was my first time, especially in Beijing…

I vividly recall the opening ceremony at the magnificent “Bird’s Nest” stadium. The visual spectacle was unmatched, and in my opinion, the subsequent Games in London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo couldn’t surpass it.

Adjusting took me three to four days; I had to come to terms with being among the best athletes globally. This was evident on the bus ride to the opening when I spotted Dirk Novicki, the basketball legend. I was transfixed, staring at him until he waved back at me with a smile, and I did the same.

My pleasure and pride in becoming part of this Olympic legacy were compounded by my role not just as a participant but as a teammate focused on fighting for a podium finish.

In terms of performance, this marked the first of our three tied semi-finals. The excitement was at an all-time high as European champions, and expectations had never been so intense…

We were so close to medaling against Hungary, leading by three goals at one point. They equalized and snatched the winning goal off a play we had prepared for yet couldn’t defend against, highlighting their immense skill. Had we reached the finals, I strongly believe we could have secured gold, as even an exceptional USA team would have struggled against us. Instead, we lost the semi-final and subsequently the match for third place against Serbia…

London 2012

In London, I believe we fielded the strongest team in our history. Despite fierce competition, we ended up losing key players Filip Klikovac, Milan Tičić, and Nikola Vukcevic on the final day, which underscores the quality of the squad selected for the other Games.

We began with a loss to the USA but soon found our groove, defeating Hungary and Spain. However, in the semi-finals, we fell to Croatia, who were clearly the best team at that time, excelling throughout the tournament.

The match for the bronze medal is one that will linger in memory. We played brilliantly for the first three and a half quarters, controlling the game against Serbia and almost sealing it sooner.

However, inexplicably, we faltered in the final minutes, and Serbia demonstrated their strength as a powerhouse. We faced heartbreak again; such is the nature of sports. It’s the same story as before: some matches we won from significant deficits, while others slipped through our fingers despite having an advantage. Clearly, it was tough for us, knowing what we had let go…

While Beijing dazzled with its glitz and infrastructure, London excelled in terms of organization.

The accommodations were fantastic, with comfortable, cozy rooms and proper beds, which wasn’t the case later in Rio and Tokyo. Each room was equipped with a TV, the food was top-notch and diverse, and the Olympic village was conveniently situated within the Olympic Park, making access to venues seamless. I believe London set an organizational benchmark that will be hard to beat.

The British understood they couldn’t match Beijing’s glamour, so they tailored the opening ceremony to reflect their history and culture, concluding the Games with a spectacular performance—a true pop-rock concert featuring stars like George Michael, Elton John, and tributes to the band “Queen” and the “Spice Girls”. It was a spontaneous celebration that allowed us to temporarily forget the pain of losing the bronze.

Rio de Janeiro 2016

By my third Olympics, I felt like a seasoned veteran, yet I sensed the Games were overwhelming for Brazil. Everything seemed somewhat chaotic.

The accommodations in the village were subpar; while no one expects luxury, basic standards weren’t met. There were even instances of personal items disappearing from rooms, including money, which we later realized was a common issue.

Transportation to training and matches was haphazard, and the food quality fell short compared to what we had experienced in Beijing and London.

The open pool for our group stage matches was an oddity—the water was green, presumably due to algae. Everything felt disjointed, but perhaps that quintessential Brazilian flair—a laid-back attitude—made it special. After all, this was the first time the Games were hosted in South America.

We reached the semi-finals again, our third consecutive time, yet this time I felt no regrets; we truly couldn’t have performed better—Serbia, Croatia, and Italy were simply superior.

Our quarter-final match was outstanding; we managed to eliminate Hungary, who I believed was the only team capable of challenging Serbia. We won by five, leaving the Hungarians shocked and devastated.

We did exert a lot of energy there; many players were relied upon heavily throughout the tournament because a successful Olympic campaign demands 13 top athletes.

Croatia outplayed us in the semi-finals, and although we contested Italy for the bronze, we struggled to come back from a deficit, ultimately conceding a key goal from Aicardi.

Tokyo 2020

Describing the Tokyo Games is challenging; honestly, I’d prefer to forget my experience, except for the moment Jovanko Radicevic and I carried our flag during the opening ceremony—unfortunately, it was in an empty stadium.

In my opinion, the Games shouldn’t have proceeded under such conditions—COVID restrictions, isolations, masks, daily testing, and being barred from leaving the village. Those testing positive were confined to strict isolation in containers, but thankfully, our team remained healthy—that was our only silver lining.

Empty stands added to the dismal atmosphere. We were competing in a venue designed for ten people, and there was nobody present—truly somber.

This marked the first time we missed the semi-finals. We were simply out of shape, fatigued, and not competitive. The quarter-finals were as far as we progressed… The only takeaway is that we learned something. Regardless, Tokyo was a missed opportunity—there’s little to share.

Paris – Yes or No

Clearly, I still aspire for an Olympic medal, but I bear no regrets. I take pride in my teammates; it has been a tremendous honor to compete alongside them in our Olympic endeavors.

In every match, we gave it our all. Sometimes that secured us victory; at other times, it wasn’t enough. While we do have to rue some missed opportunities, our effort was always there. Personally, I wish we had become world champions in Barcelona 2013 after defeating teams like Italy and Serbia, only to fall short against Hungary in the final, despite being superior, rather than lamenting an Olympic medal.

As for Paris—I’m contemplating it. If someone were to ask me right now, I’m uncertain what my answer would be because I feel exhausted. I’ve played extensively for Primorac this season—from competitions to training, traveling—it has taken its toll.

I’ll reassess everything by early June when our lengthy preparations kick off. I refuse to enter tired and potentially take a place from someone else. Only 13, and not 15, players can represent at the Olympic Games, which means no rotations and every match at full intensity.

While it would be historic for me to become the first Montenegrin athlete to compete in five Olympics, it shouldn’t just be about going to Paris to say I’ve made five appearances or taking pictures. It matters far more to me to arrive at the competition ready to give my absolute best as I have on each occasion thus far.

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