A motivational lecture by Sandra Paović, Paralympic champion from Rio de Janeiro 2016 and winner of a world gold medal and two European gold medals, was held in the Maksimir Stadium lodge this Friday. She shared her extraordinary and inspiring life and sporting story with members of Dinamo's workforce, as well as participants of the "European Football Clubs Academy Visits" programme, which includes academy directors and sporting directors from European football academies.

The lecture began with her recollection of her first sporting steps, when at the age of five, as a refugee from Vukovar, she discovered her love for table tennis, a sport that would define her life path and identity. As a young athlete, Sandra knew her goal, and dedication, discipline and passion led her to compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, where she was among the best European players.

"At 17, I made it to Croatia's senior national team, and it's well known that 80 percent of athletes fail to adapt in the transition from junior to senior level. That's when I learned one of life's most important lessons. Through defeats we become stronger and better, and goals and passion are more important than obstacles. It doesn't matter who has better conditions - with love, responsibility and desire, nothing can stop you."

Just when she was at the peak of her career, a severe traffic accident occurred that fundamentally changed her life. Days and weeks of fighting for her life, without the ability to breathe independently or communicate, turned into the beginning of a new, even more demanding match. The prognoses were extremely difficult, even that she wouldn't be able to move independently. But, she emphasized, she never lost faith.

"Today you'll survive, tomorrow will be better", was the thought that guided her through the most difficult moments, with a strong focus on mental strength, which she considers a key part of any success. It was precisely that inner determination that led to the moment many considered impossible - the first movement of her leg after seven months, which marked the beginning of her comeback.

Speaking about the recovery process, Paović emphasized how important it is not to give up even when there seems to be no way out.

"When you think you're at maximum, you realize you're only at 50 percent", is the message that her coach and, as she called him, 'second father', Neven Cegnar, instilled in her even before the accident. "I would faint from exhaustion, but I kept going. I knew I was a little bulldozer and nothing would stop me. It's important to know that everyone has the strength within themselves to motivate themselves and others."

Her return to sport was crowned with the greatest possible success - winning gold at the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, just eight years after the accident. That moment, as she emphasized, represented the pinnacle not only of her sporting career, but also of her life's struggle.

"I had never been prouder than at that moment", Sandra said in her inspiring address.

Besides sporting achievements, Paović also spoke about the importance of character, community and mutual support. She emphasized that the foundation of active sport participation is building people, not necessarily results, stressing that it's equally important to be an excellent athlete and an excellent person. She particularly highlighted the role of her husband Daniel, a former athlete who also became a person with a disability after an accident and despite this completed three university degrees, as the person who was her greatest support on that journey.

Today, through books, lectures and an upcoming international project, Paović continues to spread her message to a wider audience: a message about faith, perseverance and the strength of an individual to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.

Her goal is, as she says, to inspire people to believe in themselves and never give up.

"If I had to sum up this lecture in two words, they would be: 'Never give up'!"

Sandra Paović also became the new ambassador of Dinamo's "Never Give Up" foundation, and after the lecture she tried her hand at table tennis with members of Dinamo's workforce. Among others, she defeated the Maksimir club legend, Tomislav Šokota...