The Influence of European Diplomats in Montenegro on the Development of Sport at the end of the XIX Century Until the Beginning of the First World War

Abstract

Decisions made at the Berlin Congress in 1878. finally resolved the issue of Montenegro’s international status. This created the conditions for European countries to open their diplomatic embassies in Cetinje - the Principality of Montenegro. During this period, diplomatic activities with European countries intensified, which led to the emergence and development of new, hitherto unknown sports in Montenegro. Foreign diplomats contribute to getting to know, accepting and developing modern sports in Montenegro, which they themselves have been involved in. Arriving at the diplomatic embassies of their countries, they brought to Cetinje appropriate sports equipment and their own sports equipment which, after the construction of appropriate sports fields, they used for the first sports and recreational activities, until then mostly unknown in Montenegro. Thus, the first tennis rackets, golf equipment, skis, skates, rollerblades …, arrived in the capital with foreign diplomats, for which the members of the prince’s family and the court entourage showed great interest and soon got involved and mastered new sports and recreational activities. Shortly afterwards, these sports became interesting and accepted by a number of Cetinje residents, which resulted in the opening of several new sports clubs.