The Rio Games will be the first to host athletes competing under the flag of Kosovo, which proclaimed independence from Serbia in 2008.

To pursue their careers before, many athletes from Kosovo had to leave their hometowns to participate under another country’s flag.

During London 2012, judo double world champion Majlinda Kelmendi had to compete for Albania. In Rio she will proudly carry the Kosovo flag at the opening ceremony.

She will be joined by Vijona Kryeziu and Musa Hajdari, who have been training for the Games in the mountains around their native village of Rogane.

It has been a big year for Kosovo, which also joined UEFA and FIFA. Kosovo became a member of the Olympic Committee in 2014.