Kosovo Wins Right to Compete in Olympics

Athletes from Kosovo are celebrating the IOC decision to grant Kosovo full membership, which means they will be fielding their own national team for the Brazil Olympics.

The decision was reached at the 127th session of the IOC held in Monaco and follows an earlier decision in October by the IOC to grant Kosovo provisional recognition.

At that time, the IOC said the Kosovo Olympic Committee "met the requirements for recognition as outlined in the Olympic Charter," referring to sporting and technical requirements "as well as definition of ‘country.'"

So far, Kosovo has not been allowed to participate in the Olympics as it was not a member of the IOC. The former province of Serbia declared independence in 2008.

Majlinda Kelmendi, a successful athlete from Kosovo, represented Albania in the London 2012 Olympics.

Hashim Thaci, Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister welcomed the news of Kosovo's membership of the IOC.

"Congratulations to Kosovo, congratulations to athletes, congratulations to the Kosovo Olympic Committee. Kosovo is now a member of the Olympic Committee. Our flag will flutter in the Olympic Games and it will be carried in Rio by Majlinda," he wrote on Facebook.

Kosovo has been barred from many international sports tournaments because of continuing disputes over its status.

Since it declared independence in 2008, it has been recognized by the US and most Western countries. But Serbia has vowed never to recognize it and has been supported in its standpoint by Russia, China and numerous other countries.