Amela Terzic
Amela Terzic is a Serbian champion, a record-holder and a big name in the history of Serbian athletics.
She claimed a multitude of medals on the track and in cross country, including European U20 gold and world silver. A lot can be learned from Terzic.
Why did you decide to do athletics at a time when the sport was not as popular in Serbia?
“I started doing athletics on my own in Germany at the H.G.L club with coach Thomas Tanzler. My talent was discovered by a physical education teacher. My mother was also fast in high school, so she decided to enrol me in the track and field club. When I returned to Serbia, I trained in my hometown of Priboj, but due to the bad conditions, I was looking for a good coach for medium tracks, and that's how I came to Novi Pazar with coach Rifat Zilkic.”
When you look at the start of your career, could you have imagined that you would achieve everything you did?
"It was very difficult for me to get used to the new environment, because we moved often and I changed to a total of six different schools. I wasn't accepted everywhere by the girls I was better than, but after some time I became strong and made good friends. At that time, I could not believe that one day I would be at the Olympic Games and achieve top results. My goal was just to train hard and listen to the coach. I had a beautiful childhood.”
What memories do you have?
"Many will read about top athletes, while I had the opportunity to learn from the best and educate myself around the world. It really has no price. Also, during every participation in competitions around the world, I wanted to present the club, the city and the country in the best possible light. From the memories, I carry with me the strongest results.”
Which of your qualities helped you in your career and life?
“Of my qualities, the fact that I am responsible, eager to work and positive helped me in my career."
From your experience, what do you consider most important when playing sports, and what would you say are its advantages?
"The essential things in playing sports are faith in the system, work, patience, having a good atmosphere around you and positive people. To be fulfilled and happy in private life. Beware of injuries and avoid night life.”
What do you think is crucial for women today to start engaging in any type of recreational physical activity?
"The advantage of sports is building a strong personality and acquiring healthy habits as a lifestyle. The woman has become a significant factor in whatever sport we are talking about. Some ladies have left such a mark in their sports disciplines that it is talked about and will be talked about. If we look back at athletics and look at it as it was once believed to be a man's sport, the ladies can certainly thank the Spartan princess Kyniska, who in 396 BC was the first to win the Olympic chariot races."
You won medals at the European Cross Country Championships. What was the path to those medals like and how do athletes prepare for such an effort, both physically and mentally?
"I was able to combine track and cross-country competitions which is unusual, but it was my long-term work system that led me to the cross-country title. Cross-country is specific because it combines all disciplines in one place. We carefully chose the places that suited us for training in the winter period and we never changed what led us to the first medal. While many decided on one season and rested, I often ran summer and winter without resting. Mentally, I had no problems because I understood it as a job and, compared to others, I was ready for all weather conditions and without rest for work. I'm just the kind of girl who doesn't shy away from work. My clubmates often made sacrifices for me in order to bring a medal in terms of training and cheered me on constantly so that I would be faster and faster in training.”
We know that physical activity has many health benefits and is necessary for a healthier and better life. What do you think is the best motivation for children to get active?
"The best motivation for children is socialising. Sport for children is an educational social activity through which they acquire knowledge about healthy nutrition, the usefulness of exercise, respect for their own and other people's time, expand their thinking by meeting many friends, learn discipline, teamwork, the ability to overcome problems, strengthen self-confidence, perseverance and character.”
You are a mother of three children. What are you teaching your children? Is sport one of the important life lessons and paths to follow and in what way?
"I want to teach my children to play sports in the younger categories in order to build a strong personality and enjoy what they do. I will not force them to play sports. Because for me it is primarily important that they have a happy childhood like mine. I don't want my children to be under a lot of pressure".
What are your professional goals for this year, and what are you currently working on?
"My goals are to primarily be there for my children, because they need me as a mother. I follow the performances of our athletes, who fill me with good results. I advise younger club friends from whom I have high expectations as my heirs.”
