(ATR) Kosovo Paralympians will have to wait before they can compete under their own flag at the Paralympics.
Almost a week after the IOC granted the Kosovo Olympic Committee provisional membership, it appears the IPC is not as ready to welcome Kosovo.
Around the Rings understands that currently, there is no national Parlaympic committee within Kosovo that has applied for membership with the IPC. Most critically, the IPC Handbook states that each applying country must be recognized by the United Nations as an independent state for the IPC to consider an application.
"The IPC would have to discuss the matter internally and take a decision on the appropriate course of action should we be approached," one person familiar with situation told ATR. The individual added that Kosovo’s case was without precedent for the IPC.
Membership standards for NPCs hoping to join the IPC are roughly the same as the requirements for national Olympic committees and the IOC. However, the IPC does have specific para-sport requirements that could lead to the IPC rejecting a member of the IOC or acting first in admitting a member to its ranks.
A spokesperson for the IPC said in an email to ATR the IPC has no position on Kosovo because its membership remains a hypothetical situation.
Written by Ed Hula III
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