Marshall Islands Becomes 203rd National Olympic Committee

The Marshall Islands have become officially the 203rd member of the Olympic Movement. This decision was taken February 9, 2006, in Turin by the 118th Session of the IOC.

The small, Pacific atoll nation of about 60,000 inhabitants has nine National Sports Federations: athletics, basketball, tennis, softball, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.

According to the Olympic committee report, sport plays an important role on the Islands and has an important economic and social impact.

The 2006 recognition will give the Marshalls an opportunity to compete at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

Kenneth Kramer serves as the Marshall Islands Committee President, and Terry Sasser, the Secretary General. The local committee was formed in 2001.