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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

10 clusters · 32 sources · 46 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 3 days ago

Categories: SPORTS · POLITICS

Varvodić elected HOO president, council named

Entities: Dragan Primorac · Josip Varvodić · Croatian Olympic Committee · Croatian Ski Federation · Zlatko Mateš

Overview

The extraordinary assembly of the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO) on 28 July 2026 confirmed Josip Varvodić as president with 81 votes, defeating Dragan Primorac (68 votes) after a single two‑vote ballot was declared invalid. Varvodić succeeds Zlatko Mateša, who stepped down in May amid a corruption scandal linked to the Croatian Ski Federation.

The new HOO council, serving until 2028, includes four vice‑presidents—Frane Žanić (volleyball), Milivoj Bebić (Croatian Olympians Club), Željko Kisić (rowing) and Suzana Šop (Zagreb City Sports Association)—and representatives from basketball, water polo, handball, football, boxing, karate, motorsports and other federations.

Varvodić pledged a 100‑day audit of the €65 million annual sport budget, greater transparency, term‑limit reforms and stronger involvement of clubs, coaches and athletes in decision‑making. Dragan Primorac congratulated the winner and called for democratic practice and a capable, independent team to restore confidence in Croatian sport.

These developments mark a decisive shift in Croatia’s sport governance, aiming to rebuild public trust ahead of upcoming international competitions.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 7 SOURCES] Zlatko Mateša resigned as HOO president on 21 May after a scandal involving the Croatian Ski Federation and the arrest of its director Vedran Pavlek. (multiple)
[● 6 SOURCES] Josip Varvodić received 81 votes in the HOO presidential election. (multiple)
[● 4 SOURCES] The candidates for HOO president are Josip Varvodić, Dragan Primorac and Miroslav Buljan. (new)
[● 4 SOURCES] Dragan Primorac received 68 votes in the HOO presidential election. (multiple)
[● 4 SOURCES] One ballot worth two votes was declared invalid. (multiple)
[● 4 SOURCES] The election was prompted by a corruption scandal involving the Croatian Ski Federation and the arrest of Damir Šegota. (multiple)
[● 4 SOURCES] The new HOO Council includes four vice‑presidents and 22 other members covering basketball, water‑polo, handball, football, boxing, karate, motorsport and other sports. (multiple)
[● 4 SOURCES] Josip Varvodić pledged to increase transparency, set clear financial criteria and limit future presidential terms for the HOO. (multiple)
[● 3 SOURCES] An extraordinary HOO assembly will be held on Wednesday at the Sheraton hotel in Zagreb to elect a new president. (new)
[● 3 SOURCES] Josip Varvodić is president of the Croatian Swimming Federation. (new)
[● 3 SOURCES] Dragan Primorac is president of the Croatian Taekwondo Federation. (new)
[● 2 SOURCES] The voting body consists of 155 votes: 94 from Olympic‑sport federations, 54 from non‑Olympic, county and Zagreb federations, plus seven from commissions and MOO members. (new)

Timeline

3 days ago

[SPORTS] 29 sources
Josip Varvodić Elected President of Croatian Olympic Committee
Josip Varvodić won the HOO presidency with 81 votes, succeeding Zlatko Mateša; a new council was named and Varvodić pledged transparency and reforms.
5 days ago

[SPORTS] 9 sources
Dragan Primorac and Josip Varvodić vie for presidency of Croatian Olympic Committee
Dragan Primorac and Josip Varvodić are the main candidates for HOO president, each promising reforms and backed by numerous Croatian sport federations; the secret vote is set for July 29.
7 days ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Croatian Olympic Committee leadership contest draws Prime Minister's backing for Josip Varvodić
Croatia's Olympic Committee presidential race pits Dragan Primorac against Josip Varvodić, who enjoys backing from Prime Minister Plenković and major sports federations, and proposes tighter sport‑economy ties.
14 days ago

[SPORTS] 5 sources
Croatian Olympic Committee presidency heats up as Varvodić files candidacy
Josip Varvodić has entered the race for HOO president with party backing, while former handball coach Lino Červar endorses rival Dragan Primorac.
17 days ago

[SPORTS] 3 sources
Josip Varvodić campaigns for HOO presidency, promises reform and international support
Josip Varvodić runs for HOO president, unveiling a reform plan and gaining backing from national federations and European sport officials ahead of the 29 July election.
19 days ago

[SPORTS] 3 sources
European Olympic Committees reject letter backing Dragan Primorac for Croatian Olympic Committee presidency
The European Olympic Committees said a letter supporting Dragan Primorac for Croatian Olympic Committee president does not reflect its official stance, stressing national committee autonomy; candidate Josip Var
22 days ago

[SPORTS] 3 sources
Dragan Primorac receives European Olympic Committee backing for HOO presidency bid
Dragan Primorac, scientist and former sports minister, is running for HOO president and has been endorsed by the European Olympic Committee’s Health and Anti‑Doping Commission for his sport‑medicine expertise.
24 days ago

[SPORTS] 4 sources
Dragan Primorac Secures Majority with 59 Signatures in Croatian Olympic Committee Race
Dragan Primorac announced he has submitted 59 valid signatures, giving him a clear majority in the race for HOO president, and urged voters to decide freely ahead of the 29 July 2026 election.
about 1 month ago

[SPORTS] 2 sources
Croatian Olympic Committee election sees cardiothoracic surgeon Josip Varvodić challenge incumbent Dr. Dragan Primorac
Cardiothoracic surgeon Josip Varvodić runs for HOO president, demanding transparent funding and audits ahead of the 29 July election against Dragan Primorac.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Dragan Primorac calls for political neutrality in Croatian Olympic Committee election
Dragan Primorac, Taekwondo federation chief and HOO presidential candidate, urges that athletes, not political parties, decide the Croatian Olympic Committee leadership, citing Olympic Charter principles and过去的

Sources

24sata.hr · aktuelno.me · dalmacijadanas.hr · dalmatinskiportal.hr · dan.co.me · dnevno.hr · fenix-magazin.de · fns.org · glas-slavonije.hr · glasistre.hr · hms.ba · index.hr · jutarnji.hr · m.24sata.hr · m.tportal.hr · magazin.hrt.hr · n1info.hr · news.ro · novilist.hr · optimalis.hu · panopticum.hr · sport.hrt.hr · sportklub.n1info.hr · sportske.jutarnji.hr · stiripesurse.ro · telegram.hr · teleskop.hr · thiennhienviet.org.vn · tportal.hr · vecernji.hr · vijesti.hrt.hr · zadarskilist.hr

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history