In the ceremonial atmosphere of the multimedia hall of the Olympic Committee of BiH and with a live TV broadcast on FACE TV, the 14th 'Athlete of the Year' event was held on December 9, 2025, organized by the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina and under the special patronage of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The selection of the Athlete of the Year 2025 took place in the presence of the most eminent figures in Bosnian-Herzegovinian sports and the sports public.

Our best swimmer, Lana Pudar, was named Athlete of the Year 2025.

"It is a great honor and pleasure to be chosen as the best female athlete of Bosnia and Herzegovina this year," said our best swimmer, Lana Pudar.

"This award will certainly be a significant motivation for me in my future work. Here at the University of Virginia, I am working and training hard and representing my country with pride. I strive to achieve many results in the coming period that will make us happy, just as I did in the previous period. Thank you for your support and trust and for building a better and brighter future for Bosnian-Herzegovinian sports together."

On behalf of the Olympic family of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the President of the Olympic Committee of BiH, Academician Prof. Dr. Izet Rađo, addressed the attendees.

"Today, we are here to celebrate sports, but also to celebrate the values that sports carry: responsibility, dedication, courage, and community. These are values that do not belong only to stadiums and halls; they are values that shape society. The Olympic Committee of BiH is a place where a different story is written, a story of a better, nobler tomorrow, where every athlete, coach, and citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes a partner in creating a more humane future. This is our duty, our honor, and our path."

"This year, our champions have shown the most important thing: that it doesn't matter where you come from, but how much heart you put into moving forward," emphasized Academician Rađo.

"You have proven that a small country can become great through great people. And so tonight I say loud and clear: we are proud of each and every one of you. However, as President of the Olympic Committee, it is my duty to also say what sometimes goes unsaid: our athletes succeed thanks to themselves, not thanks to the system. This must change. A state that wants progress must have a strategy, stable financing, infrastructure, medical supervision, support programs, expert teams, and clear rules and criteria. Remember: a medal does not only shine on your chest; it shines in the eyes of the people you have inspired, years later. Be proud of yourselves. Be brave. Be messengers for the country that needs you, perhaps more than you think. Let this night be a confirmation that we are on the right path. Let it be a call for the state and institutions to finally stand by those who represent us with pride. And let it be a promise that we will build a sports culture that gives our children the chance to achieve their dreams.

Below is the list of award winners

Best Female Young Athlete in the Junior Category:

• Tea Kovačević, tennis
• Zakira Pušina, shooting

Best Male Young Athlete in the Junior Category:

• Anur Mehić, alpine skiing
• Enhar Mahmić, athletics

The most successful sports club:

• Taekwondo club “Novi Grad Sarajevo“

The most successful national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Men's senior national basketball team

Most successful coach:

• Damir Đedović, swimming

SPECIAL AWARDS NOC BIH

For promotion of sports and Olympic values:

• Special Olympics BIH National Team

Sports promoters of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Water polo national team U16
• Borsa Open – European Top Judo tournament
• Jelena Stojanović, kickboxing
• Allem Merdan, kickboxing

Athlete or team from the family of non-Olympic sports:

• Kenan Šiljak, karate
• Emina Sipović, karate
• ITF National Team
• Mario Kojić, motorcycling
• Haris Jusufbašić, aeromodelling

Special award for an outstanding sports result:

• Ismail Barlov, paraswimming
• BiH National Team in sitting volleyball
• Amir Memišević, shooting
• Zerina Vrabac, swimming
• Nino Šeremet, taekwondo
• Sejfo Šehović, powerlifting

Award for support in the work of OK BiH - Sponsors OK BiH: Coca Cola, BH Telecom, Lutrija Bosne i Hercegovine, Number 1, Energoinvest

Award for media promotion of Olympic values:

• Admir Salihović, FACE TV

For successful long-term coaching work:

• Haris Husić, taekwondo

Sports Ambassador:

• Sergej Barbarez, football

Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Mirsad Fazlagić, football

Best female athlete in senior competition:

• Lana Pudar, swimming

Best male athlete in senior competition::

• Enhar Mahmić, athletics

Athlete of the Year: LANA PUDAR

As part of the event, International Olympic Committee diplomas were awarded to participants of the Advanced Sports Management Courses, 15 participants from BiH sports federations and the Ministry of Sports of BiH successfully completed the program.
The implementation of the OCEAN project was also promoted, as part of which we received the first Climate Change Officer for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maja Đurić.