South Sudan Becomes Olympic Movement’s 206th Member

President Bach said: “With this approval, all of us convey a sign of desire to this early the world of South Sudan; a symbol of trust because exercise develops connects between mankind and cultures”. “This will put your nation on the world map”, he added.

German broadcaster ARD and The Sunday Times newspaper in Britain said they obtained access to the results of 12,000 blood tests involving 5,000 athletes from the IAAF’s database.

The recognition may result in the IOC supporting South Sudan’s Olympic program financially.

Now it is recognised by the athletics, basketball, football, handball, judo, table tennis and taekwondo federations.

“On behalf of all the IOC members and the Olympic movement, I would like to officially welcome the newest member of our Olympic family, the national Olympic committee of South Sudan”, he said.

“We have nothing, we are starting from scratch”, said Deran, who broke down again after the ceremony as he told how the committee hoped to “empower” young athletes like Hasan.

A South Sudanese marathon runner, Guor Marial, did compete at London 2012 but under the Olympic flag as South Sudan was not yet an IOC member.

Thomas Bach, IOC president congratulated South Sudan for becoming the IOC’s 206th member.

The country has been gripped by civil war for 19 months and the conditions have made it virtually impossible for athletes to train properly.

At next year’s Olympics, Marial could be joined by 400-meter runner Margret Rumat Hassan, who competed at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics and finished 16th. “We commit to uphold the Olympic values of tolerance, acceptance, respect and friendship as we strive to build our young nation of South Sudan”.

South Sudan’s conflict has forced more than 2 million people from their homes, including 730,000 to neighboring countries.