South Sudan gains Olympic status, cleared for Rio

“Let me wish you a very bright future”, IOC President Thomas Bach said.

South Sudan will compete at Rio 2016 Olympics after becoming the 206th member of the worldwide Olympic Committee.

He said: “It demonstrates what autonomy of sports from politics really means, because in spite of the political dispute between Sudan and South Sudan, you have worked together”.

“We look forward to welcoming you to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro (in 2016)”.

“This will put your nation on the world map”, he said. However, we firmly believe that this historic day of our acceptance into the IOC will be a milestone and a great vehicle for promoting repatriation, national unity, peace-building and development of our young nation.

“It will also give great hope and inspiration to the youth of our country“, he added.

The South Sudan NOC met the requirements for recognition as outlined in the Olympic Charter.

South Sudan, with a population of over eight million people, split from Sudan and became independent in 2011.

While Olympic recognition opens the door to a few funding from the IOC, participation in the Olympic Games is years away and involved intense competition from many other sports vying for entry.

South Sudan broke with Sudan in 2011 but IOC leaders praised Sudanese sports officials for helping the South obtain membership of the global body.

However marathon runner Guor Marial finished 47th in the London 2012 Olympics where he competed under the Olympic flag. “At present we have four athletes, all training in Kenya”.