Spain's government surrenders to IOC, decides to recognise Kosovo state symbols

Very good news for the Kosovo sport has just come from Spain. The government of this country has made the decision not to mix politics in sports from now on.

The Spanish government has surrendered to the ongoing threat of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which threatened Spain that if they do not guarantee that they will allow Kosovo athletes to compete equal to other states in international competitions organised on this country's territory, they will not provide organisation of any international competition.

The Government of Spain, which has decided from now on along with participating in Kosovo athletes' contests, allowed them to compete with the Kosovo flag and our country's anthem.

The International Olympic Committee has welcomed the Government of Spain's decision in the hope that such a decision will be made by other countries that do not recognise Kosovo.

“Spain's IOC and Olympic Committee want to publicly express their deep satisfaction with the decision made by the Spanish government today regarding the participation of Kosovo athletes in international races in Spain. With this decision communicated today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and in co-operation with Josep Borrell, the government of Spain will provide Kosovo's sports delegations to compete in Spain with their respective visas, and will authorise them to use their national symbols, anthem and flag in line with the Olympic protocol”, said the report issued by the IOC media.

This would ensure Kosovo sponsors participate under the same conditions with all other athletes of the 206 National Olympic Committees, recognised by the IOC, it is said next in the communique.
The IOC wants to improve honest gratitude with this decision approved by the Spanish government and supported by the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez.

Last week, the Government of Spain decided not to allow our karateists to compete with the Kosovo flag and anthem at the World Championship organised in Madrid.

Kosovo Olympic Committee President Besim Hasani thanks the Government of Spain for the decision made, hoping that other governments that have not recognised the state of Kosovo will make the same decisions. President Hasani also thanks IOC President Thomas Bach with his associates, as well as Spanish President Alejandro Blanco and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

We remember that the KOK, the president, Besim Hasani, was in constant contact with the IOC senior officials for the problem posed last week with the failure of the Kosovo flag in karate contests, while at the same time is putting pressure on an emergency solution to the boxer Donjet Sadiku, who is not being granted visas by the government of India, to participate in the world boxing that starts tomorrow in New Delhi.