Kosovo Newest Full Member of the IOC

Kosovo have gained full membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and will compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, although Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as a state.

The Serbian Olympic committee protested when Kosovo was granted provisional IOC recognition in October.

Kosovo Granted Full Membership of the IOC as the 2015th National Olympic Committee.


Kosovo was accepted as the newest full member of the IOC at a meeting in Monte Carlo, Monaco on Tuesday, taking the number of national Olympic committee to 205.
It is recognised as a country by 108 of the 193 United Nations member states and is a full member of six Olympic sports federations: table tennis, archery, judo, sailing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon.

Majlinda Kelmendi was the only athlete from Kosovo to compete in London, where she represented Albania in Judo.

“Congratulations Kosovo and all athletes,” said Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. “Our flag will wave at the Olympic Games in Rio and will be held by Majlinda.”

The IOC began reviewing the Kosovo case five years ago but the request to field a team at London 2012 was rejected.