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South Sudan gains Olympic status, cleared for Rio

KUALA LUMPUR — South Sudan received official recognition from the IOC today (Aug 2), allowing the world’s newest nation to send a team under its own flag to next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

A man walks under the Olympic  logo during the 128th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday, Aug 2, 2015. Photo: AP

A man walks under the Olympic logo during the 128th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday, Aug 2, 2015. Photo: AP

KUALA LUMPUR — South Sudan received official recognition from the IOC today (Aug 2), allowing the world’s newest nation to send a team under its own flag to next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The IOC’s executive board had recommended South Sudan’s inclusion last week, and on Sunday the full IOC session voted in favor.

South Sudan, which split from Sudan and became independent in 2011, has been torn by civil war for the past two years.

“Over the past few months, my country has undergone armed conflict, and we firmly believe this is going to be a milestone and a great vehicle for promoting peace-building,” said Wilson Deng Kuoirot, president of the National Olympic Committee of South Sudan.

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

After their acceptance was confirmed, Kuoirot and Tong Chor Malek Deran, secretary general of the South Sudan Olympic committee, accepted a certificate and an Olympic flag from IOC President Thomas Bach.

While Kuoirot spoke to thank the IOC members, Deran wrapped himself in the flag, wiping tears from his eyes.

“Despite the political difficulties between Sudan and South Sudan, you worked together with your neighbors and have made this recognition possible,” Bach said of the two men who were joined by two Sudanese Olympic officials for Sunday’s meeting.

“Sports builds bridges ... we will stand by your sides, we will assist in your development as much as we can.”

At the 2012 London Olympics, South Sudanese marathon runner Guor Marial competed as an independent athlete under the IOC flag. He finished 47th.

At next year’s Olympics, Marial could be joined by young sprinter Margret Rumat Hassan, who competed at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics.

South Sudan was thrown into conflict in December 2013 by a clash between forces loyal to former vice president Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer, and President Salva Kiir, a Dinka. The fighting has spurred a humanitarian crisis, throwing the nation into turmoil four years after its inception.

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

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