South Sudan becomes Olympic movement's 206th member Friday July 31,2015

 

South Sudan became the 206th member of the Olympic family on Friday after the International Olympic Committee approved its inclusion, despite ongoing fighting in the African country

 

The unanimous recognition of the country's Olympic Committee drew a loud round of applause from the IOC members with South Sudanese officials visibly moved and some in tears.

"Let me wish you a very bright future," 

  "We will stand by your side.

"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." 

IOC President Thomas Bach said.

Note

South Sudan's marathon runner Guor Marial competed at the London 2012 Olympics but did so under the Olympic flag after refusing to run for Sudan and with South Sudan not yet an IOC member at the time.

With South Sudan now officially part of the IOC, it can send a team to next year's Rio summer Olympics who can compete under its own flag