Med Games Chiefs Prepare for Revote on Kosovo

(ATR) Kosovo’s membership of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games is subject to a revote next week after a controversial decision to reject the country.

Around the Rings is told that a debate and vote will take place at an Oct. 30 extraordinary general assembly on the sidelines of the ANOC congress in Washington D.C.

Last month, the IOC warned the Mediterranean Games body (ICMG) that it could cut ties after its August general assembly in Pescara on voted 38 to 32 to block the small Balkan nation from joining its other 23 member countries.

The IOC and European Olympic Committees are furious at the decision. It came only eight months after Kosovo was officially recognised by the IOC, and a few months after the EOC welcomed the nation as a new member.

ATR understands that ICMG president Amar Addadi and secretary general Isidoros Kouvelos are already in the U.S. ahead of the ANOC meeting and EGM.

An ICMG spokesperson tells ATR that the Kosovo issue is the only item on the agenda of next Friday’s emergency meeting. She said Addadi will "explain the situation" and the IOC’s call for the decision to be overturned before a new vote is held.

In an IOC letter sent to ICMG leaders last month – seen by ATR – the Olympic body expressed "great disappointment" at the Pescara vote. The Kosovo NOC had already sent a delegation of athletes to compete at the Baku European Games; it’s now busy preparing athletes for its first Olympics in Rio next year.

The IOC questioned the motivation of the ICMG members to block Kosovo, saying most international federations had affiliated their respective national federations in Kosovo or were in the process of doing so.

"The IOC does not understand the rationale and the motivation behind this decision," said the letter, signed by Pere Miró, IOC deputy director general of relations with the Olympic Movement.

"In view of this, it is our sincere hope that the ICMG can promptly re-consider its position and show full respect for the principles of the Olympic Movement, failing which the IOC will reserve its right to re-examine its relationship with the ICMG," it added.

Pressure brought by the IOC seems likely to force the ICMG to vote in favor of Kosovo’s membership next week. But the scale of opposition shown in the first ballot suggests the assembly won’t provide overwhelming support.

Written by Mark Bisson

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