PRESIDENT TUDJMAN VISITS OLYMPIC CENTRE IN BJELOLASICA

( Editorial: --> 6043 ) BJELOLASICA, May 23 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Saturday visited the Croatian Olympics Centre (HOC) on the Bjelolasica mountain, where the Croatian soccer representatives are in training. Tudjman addressed the Croatian soccer players and expert staff wishing them success in the World Cup. The attention of all Croats will be focused on you, said Tudjman. He recommended to the Croatian representatives not to underestimate any of the opposing teams and reminded them that only with a great effort and desire could they achieve top results. Following that Tudjman opened the soccer field with a free kick. Tudjman said that only a small number of countries in the world could boast such a functional sporting centre like the one on Bjelolasica. The Olympic Centre in Bjelolasica is located about 120 km south- west of Zagreb, and all of 15 km from the northern Adriatic resort of Crikvenica. It is spread over 25 hectares of manicured land, has 6,000 metres of ski runs and six cable ways able to haul up to of 1,533 metres above sea level. The Centre is also equipped with eight pavilions which have soccer fields, athletics tracks, a smaller sports hall and two tennis courts. Next year a large, multipurpose hall will be completed with an Olympic swimming pool, which will create all preconditions for the preparation of Croatian and foreign sports people. (hina) jn mrb 231457 MET may 98