On this day in 2015, the Kosova Olympic Committee (KOC) was officially admitted to the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG) during its Extraordinary General Assembly held in Washington, D.C. This landmark decision aligns with the principles of the Olympic Movement and follows earlier resolutions by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the European Olympic Committees (EOC), and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).

Prominent figures in the Olympic community, including EOC President Patrick Hickey, ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, ANOCA President Intendant General Lassana Palenfo, and senior IOC officials, attended the Assembly as honorary guests.

KOC President Besim Hasani enthusiastically acknowledged this development, stating that the membership paves the way for Kosova’s athletes to participate in the Mediterranean Games. The next edition was scheduled for 2017 in Tarragona, Spain, and Kosova made its inaugural appearance in 2018. Kosova had gained international recognition from the IOC in December 2014, six years after declaring independence from Serbia in 2008.

In their debut at the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona, Kosova’s athletes impressed, securing ten medals—nine in judo and one bronze in boxing. As of 2022, Kosova holds the 21st rank in the all-time history of the Games, an impressive feat for a newcomer. Further amplifying its presence in the international sports arena, Kosova’s capital, Pristina, has been accepted as a candidate city to host the 2030 Mediterranean Games.

The ICMG’s mission extends beyond organizing the Mediterranean Games. It aims to foster Olympism, as well as the ideals and values it represents, across the Mediterranean Basin. Kosova’s inclusion in the ICMG not only enriches the competition but also underscores the nation’s growing influence and aspirations in global sports diplomacy.