Kosovo Joins Athletics Federation

(ATR) Kosovo will join its twentieth international sporting federation with their acceptance into the IAAF this Wednesday.

The athletics federation has reviewed Kosovo's application and accepted the state as a provisional member with full rights and obligations, excluding the right to vote within the federation until full member status is reached.

Full membership for the state can only be approved by the IAAF Congress, set to take place this August at the world championships in Beijing.

Until full member status is reached, Kosovo athletes are still allowed to participate in all competitions sanctioned by the IAAF, including the world championships this August.

This is the latest of six federations to accept Kosovo in 2015, including acceptance into FIBA and FINA earlier this year. FIFA continues to deny membership to Kosovo until the state is fully recognized by the United Nations, yet they can still participate in friendly matches against FIFA members.

Although Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, they have not submitted a formal application to join the UN due to a likely veto from UN Security Council member Russia. Russia still maintains the succession of Kosovo from Serbia to be an illegal act and therefore will not recognize the country.

The IOC granted full membership to Kosovo in December and will be taking a visit to the capital Pristina this Saturday. Athletes from Kosovo will compete in their first Olympics for the independent state next summer in Rio de Janeiro.

The last nation to receive provisional membership from the IAAF was South Sudan in November.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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