A working meeting was held on Thursday, February 12, at the premises of the Belgrade Marathon, attended by representatives of the Belgrade Marathon, the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation, and the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, together with the new Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Milan Antonijević.
The meeting took place in an open, constructive, and collaborative atmosphere, with a clear mutual understanding and agreement that the existing cooperation should be further strengthened through new projects focused on inclusion, solidarity, and the equal participation of persons with disabilities in sports and social activities.
In the opening part of the discussion, the Director of the Belgrade Marathon, Darko Habuš, presented the results and projects that have been implemented within the Belgrade Marathon and the Heroes of the Belgrade Marathon Foundation, with special emphasis on the humanitarian campaign “Let’s Rejoice Together.”
As highlighted, this initiative aims to improve the position of children and young people with developmental disabilities and persons with disabilities through sport, togetherness, and concrete support programs.
In previous years, the initiative has brought together a large number of participants, partners, and donors, and has become a recognizable segment of socially responsible activities within running events organized by the Belgrade Marathon.
Special attention was also devoted to the “SMS for a Kilometer” initiative, designed as a simple and effective mechanism for raising funds intended for inclusive programs. Through the symbolic connection between kilometers covered and humanitarian support, citizens and companies are given the opportunity to actively contribute to creating a more accessible and fairer society.
The participants assessed that, in addition to its financial impact, this initiative also has strong educational significance, as it raises public awareness about the importance of equality and the removal of barriers.
Representatives of the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities emphasized that the cooperation with the Belgrade Marathon represents an example of good practice in the region, as it enables greater visibility of athletes with disabilities at one of the largest sporting events in the country, as well as in the region.
The participation of para-athletes and wheelchair competitors in marathon races carries multiple levels of importance—not only sporting, but also social and symbolic. As emphasized, it sends a clear message that sport belongs to everyone and that equality must be the standard, not the exception.
Commissioner Milan Antonijević pointed out that the institution he heads recognizes sport as an important space for promoting equality and preventing discrimination. He stressed that inclusion in sport often represents the first step toward broader social inclusion, because joint activities and public events help change perceptions and break down prejudice.
He particularly highlighted the importance of continuous cooperation with the organizers of major sporting events, whose authority and reach can influence changes in public awareness—and the Belgrade Marathon is certainly one of them.
In the continuation of the meeting, possibilities for the further development of joint activities were discussed, including the organization of educational campaigns, expert forums, and public events aimed at improving the position of persons with disabilities.
The participants agreed that it is important to further strengthen communication directed toward young people, as well as the business community, in order to broaden the circle of partners willing to support inclusive initiatives and incorporate equality into their corporate social responsibility policies.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to further improve the accessibility of sporting events—from infrastructure solutions and logistical support to adapted communication content.
In this context, the possibility of developing guidelines and recommendations was also discussed, which would help event organizers make accessibility standards an integral part of the planning and implementation of sports programs.
The meeting concluded with a joint assessment that the existing cooperation represents a strong foundation for the further development of the partnership. A willingness was expressed to further improve the position of persons with disabilities in sport and public life through concrete action plans and regular coordination.
It was also agreed that a future charter between the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the Belgrade Marathon will be signed soon in order to formally confirm and strengthen their future cooperation.
An atmosphere of mutual respect, open dialogue, and agreement on future projects marked this meeting at the premises of the Belgrade Marathon, with a clear message that sport can and should be a space of equal opportunity—a place of connection, solidarity, and genuine social responsibility.
