This page lists all the National Olympic Committees (NOC) that are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as of April 2006. The list is in alphabetical order in English, based upon the name of the COUNTRY in English.
The information on this page is provided as a quick reference, but will be difficult for me to maintain accurately without your feedback. If you find broken links or incorrect information you need to send me an email with details -- then I will correct any errors or update the information.
Addresses are given in the American method using the regulations of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The address puts the name of the country on the bottom line in CAPITAL letters. A zip code or country code goes in the line above. Europeans do it differently.
For a well-written description of National Olympic Committees and the question of "nations" and "territorial" Olympic Committees I can direct you to a personal website by a Malaysian national residing in the USA, Mr. Hui Kiat Ming: KIAT.NET: Olympics - 3-Letter Olympic Country Codes
...as in this example from MALTA....
MALTA (MLT)
[Republic of Malta] Maltese, English.
Malta Olympic Committee
National Swimming Pool Complex
Maria Tereza Spinelli Street
Gzira GZR06
MALTA
tel: (+356) 332801
fax: (+356) 332798
email: (not given as an active link, however).
web site: NOC of Malta
This small island nation became part of the British Empire in 1814 and gained independence in 1964. The country has 400,000 people on an island slightly smaller than Washington, DC.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Malta.
The mailing address, telephone, fax, email and web site information is provided but I cannot guarantee that the information is up-to-date, as some information can change without my knowledge. For the most up-to-date information you should go to that country's web site, or the IOC website. I will not provide the email address in html format in order to prevent web-robots from gathering the data for spam email. If you wish to communicate -- type the information into your email window yourself.
Each NOC will eventually be linked to a seperate page with more specific details about that NOC and sport in that country, including links within that country. This page has the abbreviated version. Some historical information is provided for you -- but this is merely provided to assist you in finding more information on your own. I could easily write 200 pages about each country and their sports, history and culture. Maybe I will someday -- but not today. If you are interested in adding information to these pages -- please offer your time and knowledge. This is a long-term educational project -- your scholarly participation is welcome.
1. IOC website and their publications in my library: IOC website - NOC Lists
2. CIA FACTBOOK hosted by the Central Intelligence Agency: CIA FACTBOOK
The CIA FACTBOOK is a gold mine of information. I have relied upon their researchers for much of the information about each nation's size and population, languages spoken and some historical background. The information from their website is in the public domain, so I do not credit them every time I use their information. However I do provide a link for you directly to the page where I found the information.
3. Websites of the various NOCS, Embassies and Consulates of the various countries.
4. United States Department of State Consular Affairs: Bureau of Consular Affairs
5. European Olympic Committees European Olympic Committees
6. Eurolympic.org: European Olympic Committees - links
Very nice Olympic history page linked to each NOC.
7. Scholarly Sports Sites: National Sport Structures and Organizations
8. Western European Studies Section/WESSWEB:
Association of College & Research Libraries -- Western European Studies Links
9. Library of Congress, Federal Research Division: Country Studies.
Library of Congress Federal Research Division: Country Studies.
In-depth research conducted by scholars for the US Army.
10. World Newspapers.com - links to newspapers around the world: World newspapers.com - LINKS
News sources in every country in their own words. Go here for daily news reports via links.
11. WORLD INFO ZONE -- WIZ Around the World: World Info Zone -- LINKS
Very nice source to begin research on a country; brief descriptions; links.
12. World Olympians Association: World Olympians Association.
13. Embassy.Org: the Electronic Embassy Foreign Embassies in the Washington DC area
14. Radio Free Europe: Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international communications service to Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East, funded by the United States Congress.
15. Cultural Profiles Project; Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Cultural Profiles Project: Alphabetical List of Countries
This site has a brief cultural description of approximately 105 nations sponsored by the Government of Province of Ontario, Canada.
16. Enchanted Learning web site: US States Area and Ranking US States: Area in square miles
This page lists all the states of the USA with their size in square miles which allows you to compare the size of the countries below to your home state. You may have to convert "kilometers" to "miles" so pay attention to what you are comparing!
ALWAYS challenge your source of information.
Be critical.
How can you guarantee it is accurate?
RESEARCH -- you need to take the time and patience to look for several sources of information for your work. Always use at least two (2) sources of information for your work -- never rely upon a single source of information -- unless you have absolute proof that it is the one and only best source. Most of all -- do not be lazy -- always be thorough.
USING MY PAGES
No information here is used from personal websites found on the web. I prefer to use primary sources of information that have knowledge and authority rather than second-hand information. (MY pages are second-hand information for you)!
Many schools and universities are sponsoring web sites with links to sources of information. Use these sites -- but read carefully when you get to a personal web site. Poor research will leave you with re-cycled garbage. Some of the links that I give you are personal sites -- but they must be good to be here!
NOTE: I will not provide any links to web pages that have popups, spyware, adware or any other annoyance. Some sites may have advertising -- but I have kept this to a minimum and use the site only if I believe that the information is useful.
This page is not complete -- but will be updated regularly until it is finished.
You can see from the information presented here what I am trying to do -- and if you wish to help -- please do so.
Independent Online (South Africa): Afgans' Other Battle: Getting Back to Soccer.
News article in a South African nes website about soccer in Afganistan illustrates the influence of politics and war on sport and vice-versa. Published July 20, 2002.
National Olympic Committee of Albania
Rruga "Dervish Hima" 31
Tirana,
ALBANIA
tel: (355.42) 40 602
fax: (355.42) 40 565
email: secretaria@nocalbania.org.al
web site: Albanian NOC website
When I reviewed this web site March 20, 2004, it appears that the site is just being developed -- not much there.
Albania has a population of slightly over 3.5 million in an area smaller than Maryland. Seventy percent of the nation is Muslim. The area was known as Illyria in ancient days, and was conquered by the Romans. Later it was conquered by the Turks and became part of the Ottoman empre. After the 1912-1913 Balkans wars, it gained independence. During World War II it was invaded by the Italians. After WWII Albania alligned itself with the Soviet Union and later with Communist China. The repressive dictatorship ended in 1990 when Albania became a democracy. The country is struggling to overcome serious internal problems including crime and unemployment. It is the poorest country in Europe with approximately two telephones per 100 inhabitants, and in some villages there is no telephone service at all. Albanians love football (soccer to Americans).
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Albania
Argentine Olympic Committee
Comité Olímpico Argentino
Juncal N° 1662
Buenos Aires 1062
ARGENTINA
tel: (54 11) 48 12 01 71
tel: (54 11) 48 14 03 75
fax: (54 11) 48 14 41 28
email: coarg@sinectis.com.ar
web site: Comite Olimpico Argentino (In Spanish)
Argentina is approximately four times bigger than Texas, or approximately 22 times larger than Pennsylvania. The population is approximately 39 million people. Originally the ancient land of the INCA Indians. Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500's. Argentine is the second largest country in South America and gained independence from Spain in 1816. Its history as a nation is full of revolutions and civil wars, military and civilian governments. After World War II it was ruled by the authoritarian dictator Juan Peron and his wife Eva, made famous in an American broadway show and movie entitled EVITA. Numerous German Nazis escaped from Europe after world war II to hide in Argentina. It was here in 1960 that Israeili agents kidnapped the notorious Adolf Eichmann and flew him back to Israel where he was tried and executed for war crimes.In 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands (called Maldives by Argentina) in the South Atlantic ocean and had a brief but nasty war with Great Britain. Since 1983 Argentina has progressed towards a full democracy.
Argentinians love soccer and have won the World Cup twice (1978, 1986). Polo is popular as well as rugby, tennis, golf, hiking in the Andes mountains and water sports -- especially along the long Atlantic coastline.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Argentina
National Olympic Committee of Armenia
Abovian Street 9
P.O. Box 375001
AM-Yerevan
ARMENIA
tel: (374 1) 52 87 11
fax: (374 1) 54 57 89
email: armnoc@arminco.com
web site: (Slow loading Flash) NOC of Armenia - FLASH SITE
web site: (In English) NOC of Armenia -English Pages
These English pages give you lots of information but the translation is not very well done -- so you may need help understanding what they are trying to say.
Armenia is a small country of just under 3.5 million people, east of Turkey in southwest Asia. The country is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland. Armenia is an ancient land, the first nation to adopt Christianity in the 4th century CE. It has been repeatedly conquered and occupied by various invaders including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, Ottoman and Russian empires. It was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920 and regained independence in 1991. Armenia is primarily a Christian nation which is currently having conflicts with its primarily Muslim neighbor Azerbaijan, which also gained its independence from the Soviet Union. They are fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is in Azerbaijani territory but primarily Armenian-populated. There has been a long-standing historical antagonism with Turkey. The issue of massacres to the Armenian community in the first part of the 20th century has never been addressed by the Turkish government, which at the time was the Ottoman empire. I cannot begin to explain these still hot issues! But they are great topics for your further research -- because sport, religion and politics do mix.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Armenia
Australian Olympic Committee
EXECUTIVE
Level 27, Chifley Towers
2 Chifley Square
Sydney NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
tel: (02) 9247 2000
fax: (02) 9223 0036
web site: Australian Olympic Committee
The Australian Olympic Committee has a number of regional offices around the country - you will find their addresses here: Australian Olympic Committee contact page
Australia is the only country in the world that is also a single continent. The continent of Australia has been inhabited by ancient civilizations for at least forty thousand years. European settlers first arrived on the continent on January 26, 1788. Part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, the head of state is England's Queen Elizabeth. In 1999 the Australians went to the polls and voted to remain in the British Commonwealth rather than become an independent Republic. In size the Australian continent is slightly smaller than the 48 states of the continental USA with a population of approximately 20 million people. Australian athletes have participated in the Olympic Games since they began in 1896. Melbourne hosted the 1956 summer Olympic Games and Sydney hosted the 2000 summer Olympic Games. There is a vast amount of information about the 2000 Olympic Games available for your use -- in English -- on the web and in libraries.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: CIA FACTBOOK - Australia
Austrian Olympic Committee
Marxergasse 25/5
1030 Vienna
AUSTRIA
tel: (43 1) 799 55 11 20
fax: (43 1) 799 55 12 20
email: office@oeoc.at
Web site: Austrian Olympic Committee website (In German only)
Austria is located in central Europe north of Italy and is slightly smaller than the state of Maine, with a population of approximately 8.2 million people. This small nation used to be the center of European power when it was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire. The big loser in World War I, the empire was dismantled and made into smaller nations. In 1938 Austria was annexed by Hitler's Germany and once again lost in World War II, becoming an occupied nation until 1955. Austria declared perpetual "neutrality" as a condition for the Soviet Union army to leave its territory in 1955. The winter Olympic Games were hosted at Innsbruck in 1964 and again in 1976. The host city for the 1976 winter Olympic Games was supposed to be Denver but the public rallied to protest and after a state-wide referendum barred any Colorado money from being spent on the Games the IOC moved them to Innsbruck. In the Olympic Games Austria has a long and strong history in the sport of skiing.
Americans fell in love with Austria in 1965 when the film The Sound of Music became a hit and won ten Academy Awards, including best film. The opening scenes were breathtaking as the camera closed in from above to the top of an Alpine meadow where actress Julie Andrews sang the opening song "The hills are alive with the sound of music...."
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Austria
National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Olympic street 5
Baku 72
AZERBAIJAN
If you write to them another way to address the envelope using the European method, as they told me in a letter received March 13, 2005:
National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
5, Olympic str.
AZ-1072
Azerbaijan, Baku
tel: (99412) 465 13 23 (and) 465 84 38
fax: (99412) 465 42 25
e-mail: noc-aze@noc-aze.org
web site: NOC of Azerbaijan
This link is to the main page with two choices -- links for languages in Azerbaijani or English.
Here is the English link: NOC Azerbaijan -- ENGLISH.
Azerbaijan is a small country of almost eight million people, slightly smaller than the state of Maine. The country considers itself European but is located in Southwest Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus mountain range. This is a nation that was part of the Soviet Union -- with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population. It only regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. There is potential for great wealth from petroleum resources which are as yet undeveloped. Local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton.
Sport in Azerbaijan dates to antiquity. Horseback riding and sports included both men and women. Wrestling was one of the most ancient sports practiced. Since 1952 athletes from Azerbaijan were part of the Olympic team of the Soviet Union, which placed mostly Russian athletes on the teams for many years. Some athletes from Azerbaijan distinguished themselves in the Olympic Games but are recorded in history books as athletes from the Soviet Union. The independence of Azerbaijan led to the creation of its own Olympic Committee in 1992. A number of athletes have won medals in the Olympic Games since then.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Azerbaijan
National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus
Y. Kolasa str. 2
BY-220050 Minsk
BELARUS
tel: (375 172) 27 87 91
tel: (375 172) 88 25 49
fax: (375 172) 27 61 84
email: NOC-RB@belsonet.net (from IOC website)
email: http://www.noc.by/eng/feedback_eng.html (only through online form).
web site: NOC of Belarus
Belarus was part of the Soviet Union and is now an independant nation with close ties to Russia. It is a country of 10 million people east of Poland, north of the Ukraine, with northern neighbors Lithuania and Latvia and eastern neighbor Russia. The country is slightly smaller than Kansas. Many athletes from Belarus have won medals in the Olympic Games since 1952, but they were part of the team from the Soviet Union (USSR). At the NOC of the Republic of Belarus website you can read about their success.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Belarus.
National Olympic Committee of Belgium
Comité Olympique et Interfédéral Belge
Avenue de Bouchout 9
1020 Brussels
BELGIUM
tel: +32 (0)2 474 51 50
fax: +32 (0)2 479 46 56
email: info@olympic.be
web site: Belgian Olympic Committee front page
web site: Belgian NOC French language page
The web site of the Belgian NOC is in French and Flemish so you may have trouble using this site without these language skills.
Belgium is a bilingual nation where both Dutch and French are the official languages. German is used by only 1% of the nation. There is historical friction between the Dutch speaking northern section (Flemings) and the French speaking southern section (Walloons). The region was conquered by the Roman armies under Julius Caesar around 50 BCE, and changed hands several times under the control of other invaders. Napoleon was defeated at the battle of Waterloo, near Brussels in 1814, and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was created from Belgium and Luxembourg. But the Belgians revolted and declared independence from the Netherlands in 1830. They remained neutral until the German invasion of 1914 and the battles of World War I. Immediately after the war ANTWERP hosted the 1920 Olympic Games. Then the Germans invaded again in 1940 and Belgium suffered greatly through World War II. Belgium today has has a population of over 10 million people and is about the same size as the state of Maryland.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Belgium
BRA Brazil
Sports in Brazil; Embassy of Brazil in London, Great Britain: Embassy of Brazil in London: SPORTS.
BRN Bahrain
BRU Brunei Darussalam
BUL Bulgaria
BUR Burkina Faso
CAF Central African Republic
CAM Cambodia
Canadian Olympic Committee
21 St.Clair Avenue E., Suite 900
Toronto, (Ontario) M4T 1L9
CANADA
tel: (416) 962-0262
fax: (416) 967-4902
2070, rue Peel
Bureau 300
Montréal (Québec) H3A 1W6
CANADA
tel: (514) 861-3371
fax: (514) 861-2896
85 rue Albert Street
14th Floor
Ottawa, (Ontario) K1P 6A4
CANADA
tel: (613) 244-2020
fax: (613) 244-0169
NOC of Canada web site: Canadian NOC website front page -- chose English or French language.
NOC of Canada Web site: Canadian Olympic Collection
The Canadian Olympic Committee closed its Montreal Information Centre and donated its entire library and archives to McGill University where it is now maintained for researchers.
Canada is the large country that borders the United States to the north, a huge nation that has a population of over 32 million people, of whom 85 percent live within 300 kilometers of the United States/Canadian border. Canada is a bi-lingual nation where English is the primary language in most provinces and French is the primary language in the province of Quebec. Canada gained its independence from Great Britain in 1867 but remains part of the British Commonwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. Canada created their National Olympic Committee in 1907 and has a long history of participation in the Olympic Games. Montreal hosted the 1976 summer Olympic Games and Calgary hosted the 1988 winter Games. Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) has been selected to host the 2010 winter Games.
Chinese Olympic Committee
Tiyuguan Road 9
Beijing 100763
CHINA
tel: (86 10) 671 16 669
fax: (86 10) 671 15 858
email: coc@olympic.cn
web site: Official Website of the Chinese Olympic Committee
China is the world's fourth largest country, slightly smaller than the USA. But the population is huge -- almost one billion, three hundred-million people. That means for every American there are 4.6 Chinese. Imagine how hard it is to make their Olympic team! The 2012 Olympic Games will be celebrated in China in the capital city of BEIJING (formerly known as PEKING).
China's history is very long, fascinating and complicated. The language is difficult for westerners. Unlike western languages such as English, French, German, Greek and Latin -- Chinese does not use an alphabet. Instead there are written symbols -- as many as fifty thousand -- that are used to communicate concepts, not sounds. The average Chinese person can read and write about 6,000 symbols -- enough to read a newspaper.
China is an ancient civilization, several thousand years old. For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. Americans study very little about China in school -- but you may recognize some of the names and events: the Boxer Rebellion, the excellent 1987 movie The Last Emperor about Pu Yi, China's last emperor, who was overthrown in 1911 by Sun Yat-sen, and his United Revolutionary League, the forerunner of the Kuomintang.
Political leaders are known to most American students through World War II and cold war politics. Chiang Kai-shek, followed Sun Yat-sen and in 1927 he ended the alliance with the Communists led by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 while the Chinese political parties, Kuomintang and Communists, were fighting for control. Full scale war with Japan erupted in 1937 and ended in 1945. During the war, in 1942, Chiang Kai-shek became supreme allied commander of the Allied (USA and allies) forces in the China theatre. But when the Japanese surrendered -- civil war erupted between the Chinese factions and in 1949 the Communists won control of the entire country.
Chiang and his army fled to the island of Taiwan, which has acted as an independent nation, but don't say that to China, because they still consider Taiwan to be a renegade province. This whole question is a flashpoint of political and military conflict to this day. Taiwan is protected by defense treaties with the United States. China has a border with North Korea, the most politically repressive and hostile nation on earth. North and South Korea have a common border (the infamous "38th parallel") with the US military camping out right in the middle. In the early 1950's the Korean War entangled all these parties when North Korea invaded South Korea. The United States military, led by General Douglas McArthur, came to aid of South Korea. China came to the aid of North Korea. McArthur wanted to nuke the Chinese. President Truman -- who gave the go-ahead to nuke the Japanese to end World War II -- fired him. A truce was declared and hostilities ceased -- -- but the war never "officially" ended.
Then there is the issue of Hong Kong. This tiny seaport and island group was conquered by the British in 1841 and became part of the British Empire. In 1984 the British and Chinese governments signed a treaty that reverted Hong Kong back to China starting in 1997. Today Hong kong is a special administrative unit (SAR) of China, but it remains a semi-autonomous region until 2047.
Today China has become a major economic trading partner of the USA -- and tensions have declined dramatically. China's economy is booming and imported goods flow into the USA every day. This does not diminish the fact that this region is a potential flashpoint.
Both "countries" of China and Taiwan send teams to the Olympic Games, but Taiwan can no longer use the "Chinese" flag. Hong Kong has its own National Olympic Committee, so you can read more at their listing, above. WOW -- great research stuff here for Olympic and sports students. Politics does indeed effect sport. And, of course, you know something about Chinese sport -- kung fu is an ancient Chinese martial art (actually called "Wu Shu"). Read all about it!
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: CHINA
Comité Olympique Congolais
10 Dima, B.P. 6232 Kinshasa Est
CD-Kinshasa
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
tel: (243 99) 304 22
fax: (243 12) 430 64 66 / 430 65 45
email: wembosako@yahoo.fr
This large african nation is slightly smaller than one quarter of the USA with over 56.5 million people. Extremely poor, racked by civil wars, the life expectancy is only 49 years of age. It was a Belgian colony until 1960 when it gained freedom. Since 1998 a civil war has raged with Tutsi and Hutu tribes the most recognized combatant names to American newspaper readers. The border river with neighboring Republic of the Congo is still indefinite.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo / Zaire).
National Olympic and Sports Committee of Congo
Boîte postale (PO Box) 1007
CG-Brazzaville
CONGO
tel: (242) 94 10 89
fax: (243 12) 430 65 45 / 430 64 67
email: ray_ibata@yahoo.fr
Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government was installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnically based unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development. The country is slightly smaller than Montana with almost 3 million people. The IOC member JEAN-CLAUDE GANGA of the Republic of the Congo was one of the six IOC members expelled as a result of the Salt Lake City (2002) Olympic scandal.
The Republic of Congo Embassy
4891 Colorado Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20011
Telephone: (202) 726-5500
Fax: (202) 726-1860
e-mail: info@embassyofcongo.org
Republic of the Congo Embassy
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Republic of the Congo
Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee
PO Box 569
Rarotonga
COOK ISLANDS
tel: (682) 24095
fax: (682) 22095
email: admin1@cisnoc.org.ck
web site: Cook Islands NOC
Named after Captain Cook and found in 1770, these 15 coral and volcanic islands are in the South Pacific ocean halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, with a total land area slightly larger than Washington, DC and home to 21,000 people.
Formerly known as Harvey Islands.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Cook Islands.
Czech Olympic Committee
Benešovská 6
101 00 Prague 10
CZECH REPUBLIC
tel: 420 2 7173 0622
tel: 420 2 7173 2326
fax: 420 2 7173 1318
e-mail: info@olympic.cz
Web site: Czech Olympic Committee website in English
Web site: Czech Olympic Committee website in Czech.
The Czech Republic is slightly smaller than South Carolina with a population of approximately 10.3 million people. This ancient land was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire until it was dismantled after World War I in 1918 when the Czech and Slovak people were combined to form Czechoslovakia alonside Austria and Hungary. A very complicated region of various nationalities, the region known as the Czech Republic was influenced more by Austria and Germany than the eastern region of Slovakia, which was influenced more by Hungary. In 1938 the Sudetenland was annexed to Nazi Germany and smaller regions were given to Hungary and Poland. But only months later the whole country was absorbed by Germany prior to the September 1, 1939 invasion of Poland. After World War II the whole region was under the influence of the Soviet Union. In 1968 the Czechoslovaks tried to democratize their socialist country but were crushed by an invasion from the Soviet Union. On January 1, 1993 Czechoslovakia ceased to exist when the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic became independent states.
One of the first 13 members of the IOC was the Czechoslovakian Jiri Guth. There is a long history of participation in the Olympics in this nation as well as a national sports movement known as the Czech Sokol Organization.
The most famous Czech athlete is probably the great runner Emil Zatopec who won the gold medal in the 5,000, 10,000 meter races and the Marathon at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Czech Republic
National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF)
Danmarks Idræts-Forbund
Idrættens Hus (Sport House)
2605 Brøndby
DENMARK
tel: (45) 43 26 26 26
fax: (45) 43 26 29 91
email: noc.denmark@dif.dk
email: webmaster@dif.dk
Web site: Danish NOC -- in Danish
Web site: Danish NOC -- in English
Denmark is approximately 3 times the size of Connecticut or half the size of South Carolina with a population of just under 5.5. million people. It borders the North German area of Jutland and is just across the Baltic from Sweden. In history -- this is Viking territory. The Danes conquered England in the 9th century and were a great northern European power for centuries. Denmark sided with Napoleon during the Napoleonic wars. The Danes lost much of their territory in 1814 when those wars ended in Napoleon's defeat. Denmark was neutral in World War I and declared neutrality in world War II, but Germany invaded and controlled the country until the war ended in 1945. Iceland, a former part of Denmark, became independent in 1944. The Faroe Islands and Greenland are still part of the Kingdom of Denmark but both have home rule.
The Danish National Olympic Committee merged with the Danish Sports Federation in 1993 and the new organization became known as the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark. This tiny nation has 56 national sports federations in approximately 11,000 clubs, with approximately 1.6 million members. Denmark has never hosted the Olympic Games.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Denmark
Finnish Olympic Committee
[Suomen Olympiakomitea]
Radiokatu 20
00240 Helsinki
FINLAND
tel: +358 9 3481 21
fax: +358 9 2294 520
e-mail: office@noc.fi
web site: Finnish Olympic Committee
Finland was a part of Sweden for 700 years and became part of Russia in 1809, when the Swedes lost to Russia during the Napoleonic wars. In 1917 Finland declared independance when the revolution to overthrow the Czarist regime created turmoil in Russia. In 1939 Russia attacked Finland and a bitter war was fought to a stalemate at the border. Help from the British and the USA did not come because the British and Americans needed the Russians to fight the Germans. So The Finns got the Germans to help them instead. After the war the Finns were tied to the Russians economically and maintained some resentment towards the west for not helping in World War II. The 1952 Olympic Games were celebrated in drab Helsinki and Paavo Nurmi became a national hero. Finland is slightly smaller than Montana with a population of over 5 million people. It is a national pastime to sit in a hot sauna and dive into cold water. It is estimated that in this nation of 5 million people there are 2 million saunas. Finnish baseball, called Pesapollo is the national sport.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Finland
National Olympic Committee of France
Comite National Olympique et Sportif Francais (CNOSF)
Maison du Sport Français
1 avenue Pierre de Coubertin
75640 Paris cedex 13
FRANCE
tel: 01 40 78 28 00
fax: 01 40 78 28 34
fax: 01 40 78 29 51
email: cnosf@cnosf.org
web site (In French): National Olympic Committee of France
France is one of the largest European countries, slightly less than twice the size of the state of Colorado, with a population of approximately 60.5 million people. France has a long and glorious history, filled with all the drama of kings and queens, castles and warfare, arts and literature. In North America there has been significant French influence, just ask anyone who lives in the Province of Quebec, Canada or New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the French fleet that trapped the British fleet off the East Coast that helped end the American Revolution and allow the British colonies to win their independence from Great Britain and form a new nation -- the United States of America. France has had a long history of conflict with England -- starting with the French (Normans) invasion by William the Conqueror in 1066. Since then their monarchs have been relatives. The French have also had a long conflict with the Germans (Prussians) -- Napoleon invaded the German states in the 1800's, and the Germans invaded France in the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War, and again in 1914 in World War I, and in 1940 -- World War II.
Famous personalities and events include Julius Caesar who led the Roman army into Gaul during the Gallic Wars from 58-51 BC, Charlemagne (8th century), Joan of Arc (14th century), kings such as Louis XIV (known as the Sun King and also Louis the Great, who ruled for 72 years and built the Palace at Versailles), the French Revolution (1789), storming of the Bastille, King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette who lost their heads (they were guillotined) in Paris in 1793. Madame Tussaud made castings of their heads and today you can see wax versions at the Tussauds Waz Museum in -- London. There was the infamous Reign of Terror when lots of Frenchmen were guillotined, the soldier-turned-emperorNapoleon Bonaparte, his loss at the battle of Waterloo.
More famous French personalities include Alfred Dreyfus, Emile Zola, Charles de Gaulle, Louis Pasteur, writers such as Alexandre Dumas (1799-1850) who wrote "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo," and Victor Hugo (1802-1885) author of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Gustave Eiffel was the designer of the famous tower in Paris that bears his name.
Famous artists include Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse and Pierre-August Renoir.
France has a long history of involvement with the Olympic Movement, of course. The founder of the Modern Olympic Games was Pierre de Coubertin, a French aristocrat. France lost the Franco-Prussian war (1870-1871) and it was Pierre de Coubertin who set out to revise the French educational system of Physical Education with the belief that French youth were weaker than German youth. He went to England and the United States to study their educational systems and through these travels and studies he devised a plan to revive the ancient Olympic Games. The origins of these ideas have been the subject of more attention in recent years and are excellent topics for research. Paris was the host of the Olympic Games of 1900 and again in 1924. Chamonix hosted the winter Olympic Games in 1924, Grenoble hosted them in 1968 and Alberville hosted them in 1992. French is one of the two official languages of the Olympic Movement -- the other is English. The city of Paris is placing a serious bid to host the Olympic Games of 2012.
Raed more at the CIA FACTBOOK: France
National Olympic Committee of Germany
Nationales Olympisches Komitee für Deutschland
PO Box 71 02 63
Otto-Fleck-Schneise 12
D-60528 Frankfurt/Main
GERMANY
tel: +49-69 6700202
fax: +49-69 6771229
email through their web page form: email form for the NOC of Germany
web site: (In German) Nationales Olympische Komitee fur Deutschland (NOK) homepage
web site: (English pages) NOC Germany - English pages
NOC of Germany web site -- Olympic history: History of Germany at the Olympic Games.
I lived in Berlin from 1982 to 1987 as a Physical Education teacher in a German public school (gymnasium). The city was occupied by the military from the United States, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union. I resided and worked in West Berlin. Contrary to what my children and many of my students believe -- I was not a spy. Besides -- I am not at liberty to discuss this issue.
Situated in central Europe Germany has over 82 million people in a country that is slightly smaller than the state of Montana, or 3 times the size of Pennsylvania. Germany is the largest and most populous nation in Europe.
Germany has a long and very complicated history and has been involved with the Olympic Movement from the very beginning. Germans excavated the ancient site of Olympia and through their work ancient Greece and all its glory became a topic of great interest in the 19th century. Germans were part of the origins of the Modern Olympics along with Pierre de Coubertin, and were scheduled to host the 1916 Olympic Games in Berlin, but these were cancelled because of World War I. The Germans were not invited to the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. The Games were awarded to Berlin in 1930 but Hitler came to power in 1933 and created a dictatorship in Germany. Berlin hosted the 1936 summer Olympic Games with the sailing events in Kiel; Garmisch-Partenkirchen hosted the 1936 winter Olympic Games. These Games were the first Olympics to become politically influenced and are often referred to as the NAZI Olympics.
Due to World War II the Germans were not invited to the 1948 Olympic Games in London. After World War II Germany was divided into occupation zones and two separate nations existed, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany). Beginning in 1956 two separate German teams competed in the Olympic Games from each of the Germanies. The East Germans became famous for their great athletes -- and drug usage. Munich hosted the 1972 summer Olympic Games but the first terrorist attack at an Olympic Games ended in the death of eleven Jewish athletes from Israel. Controversy then surrounded the decision of IOC President Avery Brundage to continue the Games rather than cancel them. The Berlin wall came down in 1989, the East German government collapsed and West Germans reunited the Eastern section into today's Federal Republic of Germany in 1990. The military occupation formally ended in 1991. There are so many topics for further study that any student of Olympic history should have a field day with this country and its Olympic history.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: GERMANY
British Olympic Association
1 Wandsworth Plain
London SW18 1EH
GREAT BRITAIN
tel: 020 8871 2677
fax: 020 8871 9104
email: boa@boa.org.uk
email: from their web site: BOA website contact
web site: British Olympic Association
Great Britain has over 60 million people living on islands north of Europe that are slightly smaller than the state of Oregon. Great Britain is the combination of England, Scotland and Wales. The largest portion of the island is England, which centuries ago conquered the kingdoms of Scotland and Wales. Wales is to the west and Scotland to the north. Together these three entities make up GREAT BRITAIN. The UNITED KINGDOM (UK) is the combination of GREAT BRITAIN with NORTHERN IRELAND. Ireland has been in conflict with England for centuries, and during the 20th century there was "the troubles" with Northern Ireland. England had conquered Scotland and Wales centuries ago and has been the subject of many films popular to the American audience including Braveheart and Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Great Britain has a history several thousand years old. There are Roman settlements that can be visited as well as numerous castles and fortresses that you have read about, such as the Tower of London. Robin Hood resided here, with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. King Henry VIII chopped off his wive's heads when he wanted a new wife. Oliver Twist, Queen Victoria, Winster Churchill -- the history of this nation is intense. American history begins here with settlements in the New World, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, William Penn and Pennsylvania and the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, North Carolina.
It was in England that earlier efforts to have Olympic Games took place -- Robert Dover's Olimpick Games and William Penney Brookes' Much Wenlock Olympic Games. Pierre de Coubertin visited the latter and was strongly influenced by their success. London hosted the 1908 and 1948 summer Olympic Games and will host the 2012 Olympic Games.
The British have been active in the Olympic Movement from the very beginning -- and had a strong influence on their early evolution. Sports are strong in Great Britain and American football and baseball both evolved from British sports (rugby and rounders). Students will find lots of topics for further research in Great Britain -- and the language will present no problems -- although some words are different and the British people speak with a funny accent.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Great Britain
National Olympic Committee of Greece
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Greece is an ancient land that has had a major impact on world history. It was the ancient Greeks who started the Olympic Games as a religious festival in honor of the Greek God ZEUS. These ancient Olympic Games were celebrated every four years for over 1100 years. It was this gathering that united the various Greek city-states such as Sparta, Athens, Thebes and hundreds of others into a common people -- but the ancient Greeks were never a nation. They fought with each other as well as against other invaders, such as the Persians, MAcedonians and later, the Romans.
The Olympic Games and its four year cycle, known as the OLYMPIAD became the calendar for most Greek city-states, a way of marking time that was common to all the Greeks. The ancient Greeks all spoke Greek, of course, but there were different dialects. After 400 BCE, the Athenian dialect became the most commonlly used Greek dialect, and it was spread all over the Middle East through Athenian expansion of trade as well as conquest. The ancient Greeks expanded their territory over the whole Middle East, into many islands as well as North Africa, Syria, Persia and Asia minor (Turkey). Their settlements and colonies were eventually conquered by the Romans, who spoke Latin. Later the Romans and their Greek colonies were conquered by barbarian invasions -- the Goths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, and finaly by the Ottoman Turks.
The religion of Christianity replaced the ancient Greek gods such as Zeus and Apollo, and evolved into the Byzantine Church, also called the Eastern Orthodox Church. Many churches were build on the remains of ancient Greek temples that once honored Zeus. Ancient Olympia was demolished as a religious sanctuary and the Olympic Games were lost in history from the fourth century CE until the 1800's.
Greece rebelled against the Ottoman Empire in 1821 and gained its independence in 1829. Greece has a rather complicated history -- so you need to find numerous sources to get a clear understanding. Very briefly here are highlights.
In 1832 Greece became a monarchy when Great Britain, France and Russia (the Great Powers) placed Prince Otto of Bavaria on the Greek throne. Keep in mind that most of the royal families of Europe were related to each other through marriage, etc. Add to this mixture the complicated politices of nationalism, treaties, ethnic populations and history of wars -- the story of modern Greece gets very complicated.
In a nutshell -- Otto was replaced by seventeen-year-old Prince Christian of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glucksburg, more commonly known as Prince William of Denmark. He became King George I of the Hellenes. He was assassinated in 1913. During his rule the first modern Olympic Games were celebrated in Athens and again, ten years later, in 1906. I will not go further into Greek history other than to point out that Italy invaded Greece during World War II, the Greeks kicked their butts out. So the Germans invaded and wrecked havoc. Two Greek groups resisted and fought the Germans and then started a civil war after World War II ended -- communists versus nationalists/monarchists. In 1947 the British withdrew and the United States steped in with President Truman announcing the "Truman Doctrine" to contain the spread of communism. The Greek civil war lasts three years, from 1946 to 1949. The island of Cyprus turns into a battleground between Turkey and Greece, dragging many other nations into the tension, as both Greece and Turkey became part on NATO, a military alliance with the United States, Great Britain and France. In the late 1960's a military coup overthrew the government and ruled for seven years. In 1982 a movie about the Olympic Games won an Academy Award for best film -- CHARIOTS OF FIRE. The music was composed by Greek composer Vangelis Papathansiou (known as VANGELIS) and he also won the Academy Award for Best Music. Athens bid for the centennial Olympic Games in 1996 but Atlanta, Georgia was chosen instead. Greeks was very upset about this. Athens was then selected to host the 2004 Olympic Games, which were feared by many to be a disaster waiting to happen. Construction was seriously delayed and terrorism scared lots of people away. Military forces from several western nations including the United States, Great Britain, NATO allies and Israel were used to secure the country. The 2004 Games came off as a great success and made Greece very proud.
WOW. That is the nutshell. Image how much I left out!
Greece is slightly smaller than the state of Alabama and includes almost 2,000 islands along with the more famous mainland. Athens was the ancient Greek symbol of power and glory, the home of Aristotle, Plato and Socrates. Today Athens is the capital of modern Greece. The population numbers approximately 10.6 million people, almost all of whom are Greek Orthadox Christians. Athens was the host of the Olympic Games in August, 2004.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: CIA Factbook -- Greece.
Guam National Olympic Committee
P. O. Box 21809
GMF Barrigada,
Guam 96921
tel: (671) 647-4662
fax: (671) 646-4233
email: gnoc@ite.net
web site: Guam National Olympic Committee website
Guam is a United States territory ceded from Spain in 1898, with 164,000 citizens living on this North Pacific Ocean island that is three times larger than Washington, DC. A strategically important military and communications base located between Hawaii and the Phillipines, Guam has one non-voting member in the US House of Representatives and a governor.
Read more at the CIA factbook: Territory of Guam.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
[Bharatiya Olympic Sangh]
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
New Delhi 110003
INDIA
tel: +91-11-24366950/ 51/ 52
fax: +91-11-24365953
email: ioa@nde.vsnl.net.in
web site: Indian Olympic Association
Indian Olympic Association links to Indian Sports sites: National Sports Federations & Associations in India
India is about one-third the size of the United States and is located in southern Asia. India shares borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, Nepal and Pakistan.
The population of India is enormous -- one billion-sixty-five million people (1,065,070,067 according to CIA estimates in June 2004). This means there are 3.8 times as many people in India as in the United States -- on one-third the land. The CIA has written a very nice, short history which I reproduce below, with just a few additions of my own.
India is the Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dating back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Great Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World War I and II. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to Indian independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over the region of Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output. India also has an ongoing conflict with China -- another border dispute which has sometimes led to military clashes -- but so far -- no wars.
In sports India has a very long history dating to ancient times including many of the martial arts and wrestling. In the modern Olympic Games India has dominated the sport of field hockey. Other popular sports include cricket, basketball, volleyball and badminton.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: India
National Olympic Committee of Iraq
PO Box 441
Baghdad,
IRAQ
tel: 964-1-537-3218
fax: 964-1-772-7111
email: director@iraqiolympic.org
web site: NOC of Iraq
Iraq first sent athletes to the 1948 London Olympic Summer Games and has never had an athlete in the Winter Olympic Games. The only Olympic medal won by an Iraqi athlete was a bronze medal awarded to weightlifter Aziz Abdul Wahid at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. On May 17, 2003, the International Olympic Committee suspended Iraq from the Olympic Movement. Uday Hussein*, son of dictator Saddam Hussein*, was director of the Iraqi NOC at that time. He seized control of the organization in 1984 and ran it until he fled Baghdad in March of 2003. On February 29, 2004 the International Olympic Committee voted unanimously to lift Iraq’s suspension and welcomed the country back to the Olympic Movement.
* The family name of Hussein is also spelled as Husayn on US government websites because it is difficult to transliterate the Arabic alphabet into the Latin-based English alphabet.
Read More at the CIA Factbook: Iraq
The Olympic Committee of Israel
2 Shitrit Street
P.O. Box 53310
Tel Aviv 69482
ISRAEL
tel: (972-3) 6498385, and 6498385
fax: (972-3) 6498395
email: nocil@nocil.co.il
Web sites:
NOC of Israel
NOC of Israel web site -- ENGLISH
NOC of Israel web site -- Hebrew, main page
Israel is slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey with a population of approximately 6.2 million people, of whom 80 percent are Jewish and 20 percent Arab, Christian or other ethnic or religious groups. Israel was created after World War II and has been in several wars with its Arab neighbors. Israeli athletes first participated in the 1952 Olympic Games. In 1972 members of the Israeli Olympic team were attacked and taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists in the Olympic Village at Munich. The rescue attempt at the Furstenfeldbruck airport was a disaster and in the end eleven Israeli athletes and coaches died. The Olympic Games were delayed 24 hours for a memorial service and then resumed amid criticism. Avery Brundage was the IOC President and was severely criticized for what appeared to be insensitive behaviour. Germany was criticized for a botched rescue attempt. In the following years every terrorist involved in the Munich murders was hunted down and assassinated by Israeli agents. Middle Eastern politics are reflected in the Olympic Games as well as other international sporting events when Arab countries boycott if Israelis attend. Many topics for further research for students revolve around Israel and its Middle Eastern neighbors.
Read More at the CIA Factbook: Israel
Kuwait Olympic Committee
PO Box 795
Safat 13008
State of Kuwait
tel: (965) 2637904 / 2414444
fax: (965) 2411754
email: info@kuwaitolympic.com
web site: Kuwait Olympic Committee - English pages
This link has java script and flash. Their English translations are poorly done and may cause the younger readers some difficulty in understanding their articles.
Kuwait is a Persian Gulf state slightly smaller than NEW JERSEY situated between Iraq on the north and Saudi Arabia on the south. From 1899 on the area was under the protection and control of the British Empire and became an independent state in 1961. Almost entirely a desert, Kuwait has almost no fresh water but does have ten percent of the world's petroleum resources, making it a very strategic area in a volatile region of the world -- the Middle East. The population of under 2.3 million people is well-educated and participates in numerous sports activies -- especially football (soccer), swimming, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, team handball, athletics (track & field), fencing, tennis, judo and taekwondo.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Kuwait
The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LNOC)
Olimpieciu str. 15 (was Zveju str.)
LT-2051 Vilnius
LITHUANIA
tel: +370 5 2780640, +370 5 2780641, +370 5 2780642, +370 5 2780653, +370 5 2780656;
fax: +370 5 2780660, +370 5 2780662, +370 5 2780663
email: komitetas@ltok.lt
web site: Lithuanian NOC
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Lithuania
LUX Luxembourg
MAD Madagascar
MAR Morocco
MAS Malaysia
MAW Malawi
MDA Republic of Moldova
MDV Maldives
MEX Mexico
MGL Mongolia
Macedonian Olympic Committee
P.O. Box 86
17 Kuzman Josifovski Pitu blvd.
Blok 1, Kompleks Skopjanka
91000 Skopje,
MACEDONIA
tel: (389 2) 2462506
tel: (389 2) 2463024
fax: (389 2) 3116068
Web site: NOC of the Republic of Macedonia
This country of slightly over 2 million people is about the size of Vermont. Situated just north of Greece there has been some conflict with Greece over the country's name -- which is Hellenic. There is a lot of ethnic tension as the country is two-thirds christian and one-third Muslim. Neighbors include Albania to the west, Serbia & Montenegro to the north and Bulgaria to the East.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Malta Olympic Committee
[Kumitat Olimpiku Malti]
National Swimming Pool Complex
Maria Tereza Spinelli Street
Gzira GZR06
MALTA
Tel: (+356) 332801
Fax: (+356) 332798
web site: NOC of Malta
web site (May 23, 2005) Malta Olympic Committee -- Kumitat Olimpiku Malti
This small island nation became part of the British Empire in 1814 and gained independence in 1964. The country has 400,000 people on an island slightly smaller than Washington, DC.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Malta.
(Postal address)
New Zealand Olympic Committee
PO Box 643
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
(Physical Address)
New Zealand Olympic Committee
Third Floor
Olympic House
265 Wakefield Street
Wellington
New Zealand
tel: 04 385 0070
fax: 04 385 0090
email: office@olympic.org.nz
web site: New Zealand Olympic Committee website
New Zealand was first inhabited by the Polynesian Maori people around 800 CE. Europeans arrived beginning in 1642 while exploring the South Pacific, although they wrongly believed it was the west coast of South America. In the second half of the 1700's more Europeans arrived -- Captain Cook in particular -- and settled the Islands. A competition between the French and the British ended in 1840 when the Maori signed a treaty with Great Britain. The Islands became part of the British Empire and gained independence in 1947, although the British monarch is still the formal head of state. New Zealand is slightly smaller than Colorado and has just under 4 million people. New Zealander Leonard Albert Cuff (1866-1954) met Pierre de Coubertin in 1892 while in Paris with a New Zealand group of athletes and enthusiastically supported the idea of the Olympic Games. He was elected as one of the original 13 members of the IOC and served until 1905.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: New Zealand
The Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports
Norges Idrettsforbund og Olympiske Komité
Serviceboks 1
Ullevål Stadion
0840 Oslo
NORWAY
tel: +47 21 02 90 00
fax: +47 21 02 90 01
web sites:
Norwegian Olympic Committee website (in English): Norwegian NOC -- Sport in Norway
Norwegian Olympic Committee website (in Norwegian): Norwegian NOC web site (in Norwegian)
Norway is slightly larger than New Mexico with about 4.5 million people. The Vikings lived here and for two centuries raided Europe. Following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994 the invasions tapered off. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted for more than four centuries. After the Napoleonic wars in 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Norway remained neutral in World War I and proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II. Nevertheless, it was not able to avoid a five-year occupation by Nazi Germany (1940-1945). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. In 1952 the winter Olympic Games were held in Oslo. In 1994 the winter Olympic Games were held in Lillehammer.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Norway
Papua New Guinea National Olympic Committee
PO Box 467
Boroko, Port Moresby
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
tel: (+675) 325-1449
tel: (+625) 325-1411
fax: (+675) 325-1851
email: pngolycom@pngsfoc.org.pg
web site: Papua New Guinea NOC
The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - is slightly larger than California with a population of approximately 5.5 million people. It is the area east of Indonesia in Oceania -- the South Pacific. The area was divided between Germany (north) and Great Britain (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. During World War II the Japanese invaded and controlled the area and tremendous battles were fought with Australian and American troops driving the Japanese forces out in 1944, at great cost. After the War ended Australia resumed government administration until 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Qatar National Olympic Committee
Olympic Building
P.O. Box 7494
GA-Doha
QATAR
tel: (974) 445 44 44
fax: (974) 441 51 11
email: qnoc@qatarolympics.org
web site: Qatar NOC website -- http://www.qatarolympics.org
Qatar is a small peninsula in the Middle East, bordering Saudi Arabia, jutting into the Persian Gulf. Slightly smaller than Connecticut it has a population of approximately 820,000 people. Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar was a British protectorate until independence in 1971. The amir who had ruled the country was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe.
Quatar took part in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games with administrators, then created their National Olympic Committee in 1979. Beginning with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games Quatar has sent its athletes to compete in the Olympic Games.
Read more at the CIA Factbook: Qatar
Moscow 2012 Bid web site: Moscow 2012 Olympic Bid
Olimpijski komite Slovenije
Celovška 25, 1000 Ljubljana
tel: + 386 1 230 60 00
fax: + 386 1 230 60 20
email: info@olympic.si
http://
National Olympic Committee of South Africa
Physical Address:
Olympic House
James and Ethel Gray Park
Athol Oaklands Road
Melrose, 2196
SOUTH AFRICA
Postal Address:
P O Box 1355
Houghton, 2041
SOUTH AFRICA
tel: +27 (11) 483-3788
fax: +27 (11) 483-2726
email: lisadb@nocsa.co.za
email: tshikanib@nocsa.co.za
web site: NOC of South Africa
South Africa was settled by the Dutch (known as BOERS) and seized by the British as early as 1806. The BOER WAR of 1899-1902 gave the British more control. The country developed a very controversial policy of apartheid -- meaning the complete separation of races. Only white South African athletes were allowed to compete for its team in the Olympic Games from 1912 to 1970, when South Africa was thrown out of the Olympic Movement for its policy of racial discrimination. South Africa was barred from the Olympic Games until 1992 because of these racist policies, and readmitted in 1992 for the Barcelona Olympic Games. The country, today populated by over 42 million citizens, is over 75% black with minorities of white, colored and Indian ethnic groups. One of the major political controversies of the Modern Olympic Games revolves around the race issue and this is a good subject for further historical study.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Republic of South Africa.
Olympic Committee of Spain
Gran Via de Hortaleza
Calle Arequipa 13
28043 Madrid
SPAIN
tel: (34 91) 381 55 00
fax: (34 91) 381 96 39
email: correo@coe.es
web sites:
Spanish Olympic Committee: Spanish Olympic Committee
This web site was not working when I tested it on January 28, 2005 -- but it is a major Spanish sports web site provider -- try searching the main page at: http://www.sportec.com
Spain is slightly larger than twice the size of Oregon with a population of over 40 million people. Located in southwest Europe it borders Andorra, Portugal and France. The southern edge of the country -- just across from Morocco -- is Gibraltar, a tiny enclave that has been controlled by Great Britain for 300 years -- thus controlling the maritime entrance from the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. Spain was a land of numerous independent kingdoms until the Moors conquered them early in the eighth century AD and ruled for almost 700 years when Christians re-conquered all the territories and captured Grenada in 1492. Spain was the host nation for Christopher Columbus and his explorations of the New World that resulted in the colonization that led to the destruction of Indian civilizations (Aztecs, Mayans) and the eventual creation of the nations of Mexico, United States and Canada. The powerful Spanish Empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Spanish failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain went from dictatorship under General Franco to a parliamentary monarchy headed by King Juan Carlos.
In 1936 there was an attempt to hold and alternative Olympic Games in Barcelona in protest to the Berlin Olympics, which were being boycotted by some athletes in protest of the Nazi government of Adolf Hitler. The Spanish civil war started the same day as these alternative Games. In 1992 the city of Barcelona hosted the summer Olympic Games in what had been considered one of the most successful celebrations to date. The Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch was elected President of the International Olympic Committee and served in this role from 1980 to 2001.
Read more at the CIA FACTBOOK: Spain
Swiss Olympic Association
Postfach 606
3000 Bern 22
SWITZERLAND
tel: 031 / 359 71 11
fax: 031 / 352 33 80
email: info@swissolympic.ch
web site: Swiss Olympic Association
The Swiss Olympic Association web site is only in German and French, which is very interesting, since their name is officially in English. Must be a neutrality thing.
Switzerland is land-locked in central Europe, a country slightly smaller than twice the size of New Jersey. Or, if you cannot imagine that -- Switzerland would fit inside Pennsylvania three times and spill slightly over the Delaware River into New Jersey just a bit. There are an estimated 7.5 million people in Switzerland who speak four different languages. It drives me crazy when I get there -- people carry on conversations in multiple languages and never miss a beat. Now there are regions of the country that are emphasizing a fifth language in their schools -- English. Amazing.
The Swiss are quite unique in the world with a concept of neutrality that has kept them out of conflict for almost 200 years. An ancient land originally inhabited by various tribes that conquered or were, in turn, conquered by others -- three Swiss Cantons banded together to form a Federation in 1291. You know part of the story from the stories of William Tell shooting an arrow and splitting an apple perched on his son's head.