CROATIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PROCLAIMS BEST ATHLETES IN 1998

ZAGREB, Jan 17 (Hina) - The Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO) marked the seventh anniversary of its admittance to the International Olympic Committee, by a ceremony organised in the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb on Sunday. Addressing the gathered at the event, the HOO president, Antun Vrdoljak, described 1998 as the most successful year for Croatian sports so far. Last year Croatian representatives won 179 medals at international competitions. Vrdoljak announced that Croatia would host the second world military games. According to the HOO criteria, Barbara Jelic, who was the best European volleyball player last year, was the best Croatian sportswoman in 1998. Milos Milosevic, the current record-holder for the 50-metre swimming in the dolphin style, was the best sportsman of Croatia last year. The best female team was the volleyball team Dubrovnik-Dubrovacka Bank. The HOO proclaimed that the best male team was the soccer national team that won the bronze medal at the 1998 World Championships in France. The most promising talents are a skier Janica Kostelic and a tennis player Mario Ancic. The ceremony, held under the auspices of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, was attended by Premier Zlatko Matesa, several ministers, MPs as well as former athletes and famous Croatian sportsmen and sportswomen. (hina) ms