Dual Olympic water polo champion and triple medallist Dusan Mandic will be making his fourth appearance at an Olympic Games come Paris 2024 and he will have the extreme honour of carrying the nation’s flag in the opening ceremony.
No team is feared more than Serbia — winner of the past two Olympic Games — and no Serbian team of the past decade or more could be without one of its chief offensive stars, Dusan Mandic, as it seeks to emulate Hungary in the early part of this century and go three straight.
Serbia might be without some of the superstars of those two victories, but it did have Mandic, the feared left-hand catcher wearing the No. 2 cap, who accumulated seven goals in those two Olympic finals — an achievement in itself. He blasted in four at Rio 2026 and a triple at Tokyo 2020. He was also a member of the bronze-medal-winning team in London where Serbia beat Montenegro 12-11.
Career Highlights
Mandic began his international career with his native Montenegro, winning the world junior title in 2011 after bronze in 2009 (when it was briefly an under-18 age group) before opting to play for Serbia.
He currently plays his club water polo for Ferencvaros in Hungary after stints at VK Partizan, Pro Recco and Novi Beograd.
His international medal haul also includes world championships gold and bronze; four World League crowns; and a gold and bronze at World Cups. He has also won three European titles and the Serbian League with Novi Beograd.
Fourth Appearance
Mandic said he was “excited” about making his fourth appearance. “My first big competition was London 2012. Back then I was the youngest sportsman in our Olympic team. Now at 2024 (turned 30 on June 16), I am chosen to be the flag bearer. It’s a great honour, pride and obligation to give absolutely everything within me to achieve our goal.”
This is an honour already achieved by fellow Serbian water polo athlete Filip Filipovic at Tokyo.
Scoring Goals asked what were his feelings after winning each of his gold medals.
“Both golds have very special places in my heart. In Rio and in Tokyo we suffered a lot in the group stage. It is hard to choose which one is more special. I remember that for both golds, on both completions, we believed and fought ferociously until the end.”
When do you start thinking about making a third consecutive final?
“Nobody should think of that until, before being in the position of winning in the semifinal.”
What is the atmosphere among this team and how does it relate to the two previous Olympic teams?
“During the preparations, the atmosphere in the team has been great. If we keep it, and if we show the kind of game we trained to perform, we will be in a good spot.”
The heritage of Serbia (Serbia/Montenegro, Yugoslavia) being on the podium for the past five Olympics must have a heavy pressure to keep on succeeding. Does that weigh on your mind?
“It has occurred to me once or twice, but didn't stay long. That is a fact that puts pressure upon us. We don't need more pressure than we already have.”
Fifth, fourth and sixth in the last three World Championships. Explain how these felt.
“These felt educational. After every defeat you start to respect more and more the incredible success and history we have made.”
Seventh at the European Championships in January. Tell us about that.
“We lost again to Hungary on penalties. You must have a little bit of luck to achieve big results, but this time, for some reason, we didn't deserve to pass the quarterfinal.”
Your career has been fruitful. Is a fifth Olympic Games in your sights?
“I learned in life that thinking too much of the future is not very beneficial. Who knows what the future holds...”
Who do you think will be the biggest threats in Paris?
“The favourites in Paris are Spain, Italy, Hungary, Greece and Croatia.”
Name other highlights in your life, other than Olympics:
“My biggest achievements and accomplishments in life is my happy marriage and my two beautiful children.”
The towering Mandic has one phrase front and centre as he prepares for Paris. “If you think training is hard, try losing.”