Then the pressure began to get to me and I began to forget the instructions about how to publish stories I had been taught - on a theoretical basis - the day before. In the midst of all this, a waitress came over to chat. "I saw that green and pink logo earlier," she said. "What does your company do?" While I would normally not be at all adverse to the prospect of an attractive coffee shop waitress making conversation, by this point it was all getting a bit too much.

But, eventually, the story was published and we began hunting for more information and reaction to the decision.

I attended Kosovo's second full international football match in May. They scored a first goal but lost 6-1 to Turkey in Mitrovica ©ITG



What made the announcement all the more exciting was that, from our perspective at least, it had come completely out of the blue.

Despite a barrage of articles this year, we had not really got the impression progress was being made because, and this is why I find it such a fascinating issue, so much is at stake. Kosovo's 22-year quest stretching back to when the Kosovo National Olympic Committee was founded in 1992, is a complex journey involving matters of history, politics, law and international relations, and maybe sport. (A more detailed examination can be found here.)

But put simply, there are two requirements a National Olympic Committee must meet to be recognised by the IOC. One relates to sport and technical matters, which Kosovo fulfil, while the other concerns the definition of "country" as defined in Rule 30.1 of the Olympic Charter: namely being to "an independent State recognised by the international community".

Kosovo is currently recognised by various international bodies and by 108 of the 193 United Nations (UN) member states, but is not a member of the UN itself. Until last week, the practical application of this "international recognition" had meant UN membership. Serbia, Russia and China were among international heavyweights staunchly opposed to Kosovo, while others were affected by independence campaigns in their own country, from Scotland to Catalonia.

In short, there was gridlock and, seemingly, too much at stake for the IOC to make a decision, particularly given the influence a certain Russian President has wielded in the sporting world in recent times...

So what changed?

Some have claimed Serbia and others have conceded ground in although to boost their long-term aim to become a member of the European Union. Others have claimed the timing of a visit by Vladimir Putin to Belgrade, a few days before the announcement, along with an unprecedented visit to Serbia by a Kosovan Foreign Minister last Friday (October 24), was too much of a coincidence, and that he had to be behind it in some way.

Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj attended an European Union-Western Balkans Conference in Belgrade on Friday, a further breakthrough two days after the IOC decision ©AFP/Getty Images



But, more significantly, as IOC President Thomas Bach said afterwards, I believe there was a realisation that the prospects of athletes should not be put on hold due to political feuds - the lesson of Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 once again - and politicians respected the autonomy of the IOC to act, on this occasion at least.

Another fact, which should not be underplayed, is the role played by KOC head Besim Hasani. Ever since he assumed the Presidency in 1996, he has worked tirelessly towards the Olympic dream, spending his own money on a global campaign trail to meet with everyone who could possibly help him, and paying for others to visit his country so they could see for themselves the Kosovan passion for sport. If ever someone proved wrong the old Marxist mantra that all historical events are affected by structures rather than individuals, then it is him.

Even so - and presuming, as I'm sure they will, the membership will approve the ruling Board's decision - there are potential pitfalls ahead.

A majority of International Federations still do not recognise Kosovo and while most should now do so soon, it seems unlikely they will have been accepted by every sport by Rio 2016. 

The International Canoe Federation have already told insidethegames Kosovo will not be able to become a member until after Rio 2016. Many other challenges lie ahead
©Getty Images



Among countries to not recognise Kosovo is Brazil, so will that be a problem come Rio? And, with the Serbian Olympic Committee having already protested the decision, what happens if athletes from the two countries are drawn together, or if a vital European qualifying event takes place in Serbia? These two issues are particularly important given the abandonment of the football international between Serbia and Albania, the largest ethnic group in Kosovo, after politically charged violence earlier this month.

Yet, in a way, all of this means the IOC should be applauded all the more for making the decision. The easy choice would have been to do nothing and sweep it under the carpet, but they did not do that and made the brave, but correct, choice. It fits with Bach's words during the Asian Games in Incheon last month about how the Olympic Movement should "realise our decisions have political implications", and seek to "set the international agenda rather than react to it".

With many nations not really opposed to Kosovan independence, but having not got around to formal recognition, it will be interesting to see whether other countries are now stirred into doing so as a consequence of the IOC's action.

But, as the IOC said, the key issue here should be sport. It will be great to see Kosovan athletes competing at Rio 2016, and in two-time reigning judo world champion, Majlinda Kelmendi, they have a genuine gold medal prospect.

Two time world judo champion Majlinda Kelmendi should be the outstanding Kosovan hope at Rio 2016 ©AFP/Getty Images



As for me, I was just getting towards the end of my article when my favourite waitress appears again, to tell me they are closing so could I please get out of the café. With uncanny timing, my Skype goes off, the editor again, a man who knows more about internet in Lausanne then most. "They'll be chucking you out soon, Starbucks closes at 9pm," he says. "There's a bar across the road with an hour's free wifi, so go there."

Obedient as ever, I make the short journey, order "un bière s'il vous plaît" and plonk myself in front of the Real Madrid versus Liverpool match, still on a high from the news earlier on. 

"It's not a bad job, really" I reflect to myself, as I take a first sip before writing the final few paragraphs...

Nick Butler is a reporter for insidethegames. To follow him on Twitter click here.