Serbia won 3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze in Paris. Their Gold medals came from men’s water polo, mixed 10 m air pistol team, and Novak Djokovic. Meanwhile, Aleksandra Perišić won silver in Taekwondo and the men’s basketball team won bronze. With the likes of Nikola Jokic leading the side, fans had initially hoped and predicted that they would be actual Gold contenders alongside Team USA. However, that wasn’t the case, they lost both times to the US. But it really did not matter in the end, as they celebrated their success!

They won the bronze medal game by defeating Germany. Fans rejoiced after the victory, and so did the players. The national team, while partying, could not stop singing, ‘Kari’s on fire,’ referring to their head coach, Svetislav Kari Pesic. However, media veteran Brian Windhorst reacted to their celebrations and comments, saying, “Anyway, Pesic, their sort of thing was don’t tell anybody but this was the real Gold medal game and we’re going to take our bronze and we’re going to pretend it’s real.”

“We’re going to pretend it’s a gold medal. Frankly, Serbians, I can’t believe they’ll put up with such nonsense. Serbians aren’t going to want to be told that the bronze is the gold. That’s not how Serbians are. Serbians are No Nonsense!” he said on The Hoop Collective. Windy criticized this exaggerated celebration, the mindset, and the subsequent honors from the Serbian government, arguing that it inflates the value of a bronze medal and undermines the competitive integrity of the sport.

Joining Brian Windhorst was Tim MacMahon who further added perspective, saying, “I think BasketNews, a European site, reported the Serbians got a 60,000 euro per man but the water polo team that won gold got 200 grand, so if it’s a real Gold they should get 200”.

Let’s deep dive into the controversy that badly ignited after Vasilije Micic said, “This bronze shines like gold for us.”

The Controversy around Serbia after the 2024 Paris Olympics

The controversy began after the Serbian basketball team, led by NBA star Nikola Jokić, won a bronze medal defeating Germany, 93-83. Windy claimed, “This isn’t just a supposition. It was all over social media the Serbians were partying.” The Serbian team was celebrating like they’d won Gold. Getting on the podium is a big achievement in itself. We agree. However, Jokic and Co. have already experienced winning a silver medal, after they lost to Team USA in 2016. That was likely what Windhorst was trying to get across.

“Yeah, we’re lucky they were able to get up on the freaking platform…Their blood alcohol levels look like they’re 3-point percentages,” Tim MacMahon said. The Serbian team’s enthusiastic celebration implied that they were satisfied with bronze and the subsequent honors they received from their government led to further public backlash.

The decision by President Aleksandar Vučić to honor Nikola Jokić and his teammates, along with other medalists, publicly outside the Belgrade City Assembly on Monday was intended to highlight and celebrate their hard work and dedication. Windy, who has always been vocal on the issue like many others, has criticized Serbia’s actions, seemingly elevating the status of the bronze medal.

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On the other hand, their water polo team was not much appreciated even after winning their 3rd straight Olympic title. This controversy underscores the ongoing debate about how best to recognize and celebrate athletic accomplishments while maintaining respect for the competitive hierarchy. What’s your take? Let us know in the comments below.
Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.