Jovan Mikić Spartak


Jovan Mikić, known as Spartak, was a Yugoslav record holder in athletics, and was known for creating the nickname FK Spartak Subotica. He competed in the men's triple jump at the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Biography

Jovan Mikić was born on May 13, 1914 in Opovo. He was the fourth child of his mother Darinka, a teacher, and father Alexander, a school supervisor. After World War I he moved with his family to Subotica. There he finished Gymnasium and college. He studied at the Subotica Law School with a strong influence from Mija Mirković. In 1939 he was admitted as an assistant in market economy school. He then applied for the docent position, but was interrupted by World War II. Mikić spoke several languages from childhood, wrote Poetry, and was an above-average athlete. From 1932 till 1939 he was Yugoslavia's best pentathlete, decathlete, long jumper, discus thrower and javelin thrower. Twice a Balkan champion, Mikic was Yugoslavia's Olympic Games representative.
In 1941, Mikić moved to Novi Sad with his wife Ksenija and their son Alexander. He died on October 11, 1944.
Jovan Mikić was an anti-fascist and one of the commandants of partisan resistance movement in Hungarian-occupied region of Bačka. He was shot in October 10, 1944, by one Hungarian soldier at Subotica train station.