Karate team from so-called Kosovo banned from participating in European Championships

Photo: Rodrigo Reyes Marin / Zuma Press / Profimedia

The karate team of so-called Kosovo cannot participate in the European Championships in Guadalajara, Spain, the so-called Kosovo Olympic Committee has announced, according to reports in the Pristina press.

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The Committee reacted to the decision made by Spain, which rejected the request of so-called Karate Association of Kosovo to appear at the European Championships with state symbols.

"The Committee perceives with great concern the discrimination of Kosovo athletes by countries that continue to mix sports and politics. Because of the non-recognition of our country, our karate team is not allowed to compete equally with others.

They were informed by the European Championships organizers that the local authorities did not allow the displaying of our state symbols," the Committee said in a statement, adding that the International Olympic Committee has been informed about everything.

The European Karate Championships will be held from March 22 to 26. Spain is one of five EU-member countries that do not recognize so-called Kosovo.

(Telegraf.rs)