Pristina, December 9, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Daulina Osmani, and the President of the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, Ismet Krasniqi, welcomed today the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, the President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), Spiros Capralos, and other senior representatives of the IOC and EOC.
In extending a warm welcome to Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti expressed profound gratitude to the IOC for its role in the acceptance of Kosovo into the international sports community, specifically within the International Olympic Committee. Precisely today marks the 10th anniversary of Kosovo’s full membership in the International Olympic Committee.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the achievements of our athletes in the Olympic Games, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, winning a total of five Olympic medals, including three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, have demonstrated that Kosovo’s membership in the IOC has been highly worthwhile, and athletes from Kosovo have the full potential to contribute to the international sports arena.
During the meeting, the organization of the 21st edition of the Mediterranean Games was also discussed, for which the host will be the Republic of Kosovo, for which President Bach congratulated our country. Prime Minister Kurti and Deputy Minister Osmani emphasized the importance of these games for promoting the country and fostering regional cooperation, as well as for athletes and local sports, who are direct beneficiaries of the investments in the country’s sports infrastructure, which are projected to be around 250 million euros. Among other things, they also emphasized the legislative reform for sports, including the approval of the National Strategy for the Development of Sports and the programs being implemented in schools, such as “Sports in Schools”.
President Bach thanked the Prime Minister for the hospitality and for the continuous support given to the Olympic Committee of Kosovo and sports in general.
On the occasion of the jubilee anniversary of admission to the International Olympic Committee, a festive ceremony will be held tonight, attended by Prime Minister Kurti and the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, along with other high-ranking representatives of the IOC and EOC.
Last modified: December 10, 2024