(ATR)The IOC says Scottish athletes will be free to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games should Scotland vote in favor of independence on Sept. 18.
IOC president Thomas Bach spoke with Reuters on Tuesday about the vote and how it could affect athletes at the Rio Olympics.
"We respect democratic decisions. We always do," Bach said. "But you can see from previous decisions we have been taking in similar cases that we are always safeguarding the interests of the athletes."
Experts predict that if Scotland votes to break away from the UK, it will not be able to secure IOC recognition in time for the 2016 Games.The Olympic Charter sets out conditions for the creation and recognition of an NOC in the bye-law to Rules 27 and 28 (page 59).
An NOC needs to be established in a "country," which, in the Olympic Charter (Rule 30.1) means an "independent state recognized by the international community."
Furthermore, an NOC must meet certain technical conditions including the establishment of solid sport structures.
If the country votes for independence from the United Kingdom,Reuters says the IOC will decide whether Team Scotland will compete under the Scottish flag or as a "de facto Scots team under the Olympic flag."
On Monday, IOC vice president Craig Reedie spoke with Around the Ringsabout his concerns for his country's athletes.
"The [Scottish National Party] says it will be 26th March 2016 - but nobody knows whether this is attainable," Reedie told ATR. "Independence--and therefore an NOC--is granted to 'an independent nation recognized by the international community.'Since 1996, the IOC has tended to use recognition by United Nations.
"It is difficult to know how long this process will take."
Reuters says a "surge in support" for those in favor of breaking away from the UK could make the fight over Scottish independence run "neck-and-neck" in the days before the referendum."The latest polls suggest that support is slightly behind at 38 percent," the report from Reuters confirms.
Just last month, polls showed support was at 32 percent."With the race so close," Reuters says, "The large 'undecided' vote will decide which way the nation goes."
Written byNicole Bennett
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