The idea of the Novi Bečej swimmers was accepted, but due to issues with obtaining a permit, the swimming event wasn’t held as originally planned—on August 1st and 2nd—but instead on August 28th and 29th, 1943.
From the manuscript The Great Swimming Day by Branislav Kiselički, we highlight the part describing the welcome of the Belgrade athletes:
Many are already impatiently waiting for the day of the match… The swimmers are preparing seriously… The date is approaching, but the permit still hasn't arrived. What can be done?
Postpone it! – was the shortest solution... and then a new date was set: Bob is arriving on August 28th.
What a glorious day! We’re getting ready to welcome “Seva”, “Koja”, “Jara” and the others, while sadly noting that “Cane”, Boško, Stojiljković, and Đorđević could not come. But that must not spoil the mood.
Through clouds of dust—by car and on foot—a cheerful, smiling group of over 50 guests and locals entered Bečej. Amid jokes, banter, and introductions, we made it to the premises, and then came the hard part: organizing guest accommodations. There was eating, shouting, and confusion. It was a tough problem to solve, as the number of guests was unexpected, and plenty of space was also needed for the footballers of SK “1913,” who had arrived along with our guests.
Only around 1 a.m. did we part ways, to meet again that afternoon at our “swimming site.”
Our guests were more than a little surprised when they saw our “swimming site” was an open river!
“Where are we supposed to swim?” they asked nervously, struggling to understand our calm explanations that everything would be fine on time.
The introductions to the water, the ball, and new friends were interrupted by a football match against SK “1913,” which we all attended—though separately from the guests, as our fan loyalties didn’t align.
The match was exciting—so was our mood! But that didn’t stop us from meeting up with the Bob team in the evening in a completely friendly spirit.
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