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Kosovars want chance to compete in 2004

By Anne Jacobs
Deseret News staff writer

      When ethnic Albanians returned to Kosovo after having been driven out, many found they had lost everything — homes, possessions, even family members.
      These people deserve to be represented in the Olympic Games, says Besim Hasani, president of the Kosovo Olympic Committee. Problem is, Kosovo isn't a recognized state.
      The area, which was once part of Yugoslavia, operates under the United Nations. Hasani came to Salt Lake City this week to ask the International Olympic Committee to let Kosovo compete in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
      Hasani said that even though Kosovo isn't a recognized state, it still should be allowed to participate, possibly under the U.N. flag or an Olympic flag.
      A timely dose of the Olympic spirit would help his country, Hasani said.
      Kosovo hasn't been represented at the Olympics since 1992 when ethnic Albanians decided to protest Slobodan Milosevic's rule by refusing to compete under the Yugoslavian flag.
      But now with Milosevic gone, Kosovo athletes want a chance to compete. "I think we have some very good competitors."
      Hasani hopes the IOC will take into account Kosovo's move toward more democratic institutions and the great suffering of the people of Kosovo when it makes a decision.


E-mail: ajacobs@desnews.com

February 21, 2002




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