Despite not yet being fully recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kosovo took part in celebrations to mark the annual Olympic Day celebrations dedicated to the founding of the international Olympic Movement by Pierre de Coubertin on June 23, 1894.

Olympic Day aims to spread the ideals of the Olympic Movement and promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.

In Pristina, more than 300 schoolchildren, aged six-years-old and upwards took part in the Olympic Run around the streets of the Kosovan capital.

The Olympic Day Run has become a feature of celebrations in many countries as people are encouraged to come together to promote respect and solidarity as well as getting physically active.

The youngsters and more than fifty volunteers also had their faces painted with the five Olympic rings and signed their names on a special Olympic flag.

People with disabilities also took part in activities which included football, rope pulling and sack racing, described by President of the Kosovo National Olympic Committee, Besim Hasani as "an excellent day of fun".

More than 300 youngsters took part in the Olympic Day run in Pristina ©KOC



Hasani has been leading Kosovo's charge for IOC recognition since the country formally declared independence in February 2008.

But IOC membership is still some way off, despite 107 of the 193 members of the United Nations recognising the country as an independent state.

The main stumbling block is Russia, who has used its veto as one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council to block any prospect of UN membership.

This has prevented Kosovo from becoming an IOC member as under its rules a country needs to be "recognised by the international community" which means a member of the UN, even though an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in 2010 deemed Kosovo's declaration of independence as legal and it is a member of other international organisations, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Kosovo is also recognised by 12 international sporting federations with FIFA the latest to grant it recognition this year, although it is only permitted to play international friendly matches so far.

Participants took part in a special event to simulate the five Olympic rings in Pristina today ©KOC



A number of Kosovan athletes have competed at Olympic Games in the past representing the likes of the former Yugoslavia and Albania, including judo athlete Majlinda Kelmendi who participated at London 2012 under the Albanian flag.

Kelmendi created history last year by becoming the first athlete from Kosovo to win a major international title when she took gold at the International Judo Federation World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.

Speaking to insidethegames earlier this year, Hasani, President of the Kosovo Olympic Committee since 1996 said: "We have many very good athletes who I believe are good enough to take part at an Olympic Games, and even win a gold medal.

"What we want is the opportunity to compete equally with all other athletes of the world.

"Being recognised by the International Olympic Committee is a big motivation and opportunity for all the athletes and coaches who are working very hard."

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