The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) athletics world governing body on Wednesday admitted Kosovo as a member. Kosovo was granted provisional membership at an IAAF council meeting in Beijing. But it will have "full rights and obligations" as the 214th member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), said a statement by the ruling body. "The application was judged to meet the requirements" set out by the IAAF constitution, the statement added.

The International Olympic Committee recognised Kosovo in December, allowing Kosovo athletes to take part in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Kosovo has also applied for membership of other key federations, including European football's governing body UEFA.