With a population of roughly 6.6 million, the country of Serbia winning any one Olympic medal is a massive achievement in itself. And the most celebrated Serbian medal from the Paris Olympics just might be Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Co. capturing the bronze for men’s basketball.
And they knew how they had to celebrate.
In fact, because they had a morning game against Germany, the Serbians had a lot of time to kill. So, after receiving just the eighth men’s basketball medal in the nation’s history on Saturday, Jokic and friends clearly had the time of their lives all day.
But even after all the fun, and after Team USA dispatched France, Serbia had to return to get its bronze medals from the International Olympic Committee while being filmed on international television.
Throughout the ceremony, it was abundantly clear that a wobbly Nikola Jokic was still absolutely living it up after winning a medal with his countrymen:
Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; Serbia power forward Nikola Jokic (15) celebrates on the podium with teammates after winning the bronze medal in men’s basketball during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
© For The Win
Every piece of it seemed to be positively delightful:
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 10: Bronze medalist Nikola Jokic of Team Serbia bites his medal while posing for a photo on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776138674 ORIG FILE ID: 2166240027
© Getty Images
Check out this moment with Pau Gasol:
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 10: Bronze medalist Nikola Jokic of Team Serbia hugs former NBA player Pau Gasol on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776138674 ORIG FILE ID: 2166242014
© Getty Images
