Marshall Islands joins IOC

The Republic of the Marshall Islands has been accepted as the 203rd member of the International Olympic Committee. The IOC formally recognised Marshall Islands during its 118th session in the northern Italian city of Turin, where the Winter Olympic Games are being held. It means that for the first time, Marshall Islands athletes will be able to compete at the Olympic Games.

Of course the Marshall Islands are still lightyears away from being able to compete in the basketball olympics tournaments but this is a great news anyway for the sport in this small country. President of the Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee, Kenneth Kramer, says after 10 years of talks, it is very exciting news.
"Finally the Marshall Islands will be able raise their flag and be recognised in such a wonderful movement which is the Olympic movement," he said.
There are now 16 countries from Oceania affiliated to the IOC: Australia, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and now the Marshall Islands.