Majlinda Kelmendi carries the flag of Kosovo at Rio 2016

A major step for Kosovo today at the IOC congress held in Monaco. Today the IOC announced that a Kosovo team will compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after the nation gained full membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, although Serbia does not recognise Kosovo as a state.

The Serbian Olympic committee protested when Kosovo was granted provisional IOC recognition in October.

Kosovo was confirmed as the 205th national Olympic committee at the IOC session in Monte Carlo.

It is recognised as a country by 108 of the 193 United Nations member states and is a full member of six Olympic sports federations: judo, table tennis, archery, sailing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon.

The IOC began reviewing the Kosovo case five years ago but the request to field a team at London 2012 was rejected.

Majlinda Kelmendi was the only athlete from Kosovo to compete in London, where she represented Albania in judo and even IJF in the recent World Championships in Chelyabinsk (RUS). Now the IJF and EJU will not have any obligations to have Kosovo fighters participate under their own flag.

Kosova is still not recognised a EJU member, while at most IJF events, World Ranking leader and World Champion Kelmendi has the Kosovo backnumber. "Congratulations Kosovo and all athletes," said Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. "Our flag will wave at the Olympic Games in Rio and will be held by Majlinda."

MEDAL OVERVIEW majlinda kelmendi