An Albanian sniper shut down the heart of a Serbian champion: Instead of a marathon, he went to defend Kosovo, and his words are remembered even today (PHOTO)
Although he had a paper which relieved him from going to war since he was a top athlete, Goran Raicevic went to the first front line in Kosovo in 1999 instad of Marathon in Greece, and he was murdered by Albanian sniper
A movie can be made out of the life of Goran Raicevic, which would have an unhappy ending. Decorated Serbian athlete was murdered by Albanian terrorists on Kosovo and Metohija, on this day, 20 years ago, during the war in 1999.
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When the war came 20 years ago, Goran had no dilemmas if he was going to serve as a soldier or not. Just like when he was running on the streets during the war, he went to Kosovo and Metohija to defend his country, although he had a paper which relieved him from going to war since he was a top athlete.
Instead of the marathon in Greece, he went to the first front line on Kosovo.
- How can I not go, why would the people from Stojinac say, that I was a coward, that I failed my children, my people and myself?... I am going, because that is my duty - said Goran, and those words are not forgotten, not even after 20 years.
Goran Raicevic was born in Krusevac in 1963, and he grew up in the village Strojinci near Brus. Even when he was a child, he showed a tendency towards athletics.
He was unbeatable on street races from 1980 to 1984. He won five times on the White marathon, "Politika" marathon, five times in a row, and he set a record. He was the champion of Balkans many times.
He put on the uniform on April, 8th 1999, and he died in less than a month, on St. George's Day, May 6, 1999.
His battalion went in a scouting mission. When they reached the Kacikol mission, a KLA ambush was waiting for them, which rained bullets and rockets on them.
One of them struck Goran. A veteran, Ljubisa Raicevic, who was a part of the reconnaissance which was attacked by Albanian separatists, was lucky enough to survive.
- We went to see where to position the units. I was driving the commander, and a dozen soldiers were behind us in a military truck. Goran was one among them. When we reached the village Kacikol, a KLA ambush was waiting for us - Ljubisa remembers.
Three days later, Goran was buried in Strojinci, his birth village. He left his wife Jelena and twins Katarina and Nikola. His wife clearly remembers their last goodbye.
- We greeted each other, believing that we will soon see each other. The children were sleeping at the time, but I woke them to wave from the window while he was going away - remembers Jelena.
A monument was placed in front of the stadium of Partizan in Belgrade in honor of Goran Raicevic, which is keeping the memory of Rajko alive.
His name will always mean the symbol of patriotism and sacrifice for his country. He dedicated his life to athletics, and he even carried his athletic spirit to the war front.
He lived as an athlete, and he died as a soldier. Besides medals and cups, he gave Serbia the most precious thing he had - his life.
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