Four days to go: Welcome to Kiribati and Timor Leste!
Since the Olympic Games in Sydney, two new National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have joined the Olympic Family, bringing the number of NOCs participating in Athens to 202 (a record!). The NOCs of
Kiribati
and
Timor Leste
were recognised by the Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in July 2003.
Group of islands in the Pacific Ocean
Kiribati is made up of a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Australia and Hawaii, with a total population of about 100,000 inhabitants.
A first with three athletes
For the athletes of Kiribati, it will be a real first! The NOC was formed in November 2002 with the help of the Oceania continental association (ONOC), before being recognised by the IOC the following year. Three athletes (one woman and two men) are set to take part in the Olympic Games in athletics and weightlifting.
In Sydney with the Olympic flag
Timor Leste (formerly East Timor) is located in southeast Asia, northwest of Australia, and has a population close to one million inhabitants. Four athletes (three men and a woman) from East Timor already took part in the Sydney Games under the Olympic flag as individual athletes (IOA). These athletes had been invited to compete in athletics, boxing and weightlifting.
Return for Afghanistan
As well of these two newcomers, the Olympic Family is also pleased to welcome Afghanistan to the fold. Suspended in 1999 and absent from Sydney, the National Olympic Committee was recognised again by the Prague Session in 2003.