Ten years ago, the Kosovo Olympic Committee became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). On this occasion, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, is visiting Kosovo.
Bach said at the press conference that Kosovo is the best example of how great successes can be achieved in a very short period of time.
Bach said at the press conference that Kosovo is the best example of how great successes can be achieved in a very short period of time.
“These ten years have proven to be a success story in many aspects. Of course, we have five Olympic medals that have been won, and Kosovo has participated in three Olympic Games. For this, all people of Kosovo can be very proud, together with the National Olympic Committee, because these successes do not come from the sky, but are a result of tireless work,” said Bach.
“I shook hands with Majlinda Kelmendi in 2015, It was a very special moment for me, and I am certainly looking forward to seeing her tonight, to hug her, and to exchange some good memories about her great triumph, and about an emotional moment also for me,” added Bach.
On the other hand, the president of the European Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos, while congratulating the leaders of the Kosovo Olympic Committee on this anniversary, emphasized that another major success for Kosovo was achieved last year when it won the right to host the Mediterranean Games in 2030.
According to him, this will be another opportunity for Kosovo to advance further in sports, especially by building new sports infrastructure and promoting new disciplines in various sports.
“I want to congratulate you on your achievements, for ten years in being part of our movement and for all the successes you have had, not only in sports with five Olympic medals but also for the Kosovo Olympic Committee, which has actively participated in every event we have organized… You will be the hosts of the 2030 Mediterranean Games, and this is important. A new law has been passed and it will help in the construction of infrastructure and the organization of this event,” emphasized Capralos.
Meanwhile, the president of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, Ismet Krasniqi, emphasized that all the successes achieved in these ten years were also made possible thanks to the support and cooperation with international sports institutions.
“If we wouldn’t have achieved success in these ten years, of which we are proud today with ten Olympic medals, many medals in the Mediterranean Games, and numerous medals in World and European Games, this tenth anniversary would not have been as magnificent. But we have convinced the entire sports community that we love sports and can achieve anything when we are united,” stated Krasniqi.
Before the press conference, President Bach also met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti. After the meeting, Bach said he was excited about the plans the government has to support the development of sports infrastructure in Kosovo.
