Pristina official reacts to ban handed to Russian athletes

Pristina official reacts to ban handed to Russian athletes

Other Russian athletes will be able to participate in the Olympics if they meet several conditions, the main being that their anti-doping tests were done abroad.

Kosovo, meanwhile, will participate in the Olympic games for the first time, something that Petrit Selimi mentioned in his tweet: The International Olympic Committee in late 2014 allowed Kosovo to join as a member, although it has not been able to join the United Nations since ethnic Albanians in this Serbian province unilaterally declared independence in 2008.

Serbia considers the proclamation a violation of its territorial integrity.

The territory will have two representatives in swimming, judo, and track-and-field competitions each, along with one shooter and one cyclist.

Earlier this year, UEFA and FIFA allowed Kosovo's football association to join, so it will take part in qualifications for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Russia does not recognize Kosovo as independent, insisting instead of Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.