PRIME MINISTER RACAN RECEIVES HHO DELEGATION

ZAGREB, Aug 23 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Wednesday received a delegation of the Croatian Olympic Committee (HHO), headed by HHO president Antun Vrdoljak. During the talks, the officials discussed preparations of the Croatian national athletes for the performance at the Olympics in Sydney and the situation in Croatia's sports. Prime Minister Racan and HHO members agreed that being involved in sports and the promotion of the sports culture were crucial elements in healthy development of the youth, as well as in the struggle against adverse developments of a modern society, particularly different sorts of addiction. The two parties said it was extremely significant to create conditions for being engaged in sports in schools, because capacities of educational institutions cannot yet satisfy interests and wishes of the youth to participate in sports activities. HHO president Vrdoljak presented Prime Minister Racan with sculpture "Olympic Door 2000" which is being awarded on the threshold of the 21st century to persons and statesmen who are to lead the youth and young athletes to the new age. The Prime Minister wished success to all Croatian athletes at the Olympics and expressed hope Croatian national athletes would return to Croatia with as many medals as possible and good sports results, read a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister. The HHO delegation also visited Australian Ambassador to Croatia Neil Francis. (hina) it jn