Kosovo has been granted full membership in the International Olympic Committee in a move that will allow its first Olympics appearance at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The move on December 9 has angered Serbian authorities in Belgrade, who have accused the International Olympic Committee of political bias.
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic called the development an unacceptable “political decision” and alleged that it contravenes the Olympic Charter and is “creating new divisions.”
Kosovo is recognized as a country by 108 of the 193 United Nations member states but is not recognized by the 2016 Olympic hosts, Brazil.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci welcomed the news in Pristina and announced that the team's flag bearer in Rio de Janeiro will be Kosovo judo champion Majlinda Kelmendi.