Quaderni, Vol. XXXVII No. 1, 2026.
Stručni rad
TRIESTE AND ISTRIA, POLITICAL ORIENTATIONS AND SPORTS (1945 – 1951)
Franco Stener
; Associazione culturale “Fameia Muiesana” Muggia – Italia
Sažetak
This paper is aimed at exploring sports in the first postwar years in Trieste and Istria as well
as the socio-political and economic circumstances in which the athletes competed. A study
of local periodicals in the Italian language provides important insight, as they were often
varied and ideologically opposed in Trieste (Zone A) or in conformity with the prevailing
Yugoslav political line in Koper (Zone B).
The news reports and personal accounts suggest that great postwar sporting zeal
and fervour was initially shaped without a clear direction in line with the organisational
guidelines that had been previously implemented. However, August 1945 witnessed
prompt establishment of the pro-Yugoslav UCEF-ZDTV (Association of Physical Education
Societies), which stood in opposition to the CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee),
the point of reference for local sports within the Italian national framework. In the Free
Territory of Trieste (Zone A), these two entities stood in contrast, which frequently confused
and disoriented the athletes focussed and dedicated to sports, all under the watchful eye
of the Anglo-American military administration.
Following the expulsion of Yugoslavia from the Cominform in June 1948, there was a split
in the Communist Party of Zone A between the supporters of the Cominform and those of
Tito, which had profound consequences for the structures of the UCEF-ZDTV as well. In
Zone B, sports continued to spread extensively in conformity with the then socio-political
directives, creating the core user base that would support it in the following years.
Ključne riječi
Sports, sports policy, Free Territory of Trieste, Istria, UCEF-ZDTV, CONI
Hrčak ID:
353247
URI
Datum izdavanja:
12.11.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *