Member countries of the IOC

Member Countries of the International Federations

Alphabetical list: (list by date)

Countries not (yet) members of the IOC

code IOC
year
country
AFG 1936 Afghanistan
ALB 1959 Albania
ALG 1964 Algeria
ASA 1987 American Samoa
AND 1975 Andorra
ANG 1980 Angola
ANT 1976 Antigua and Barbuda
ARG 1923 Argentina
ARM 1993 Armenia
ARU 1986 Aruba
AUS 1895 Australia
AUT 1912 Austria
AZE 1993 Azerbaijan
BRN 1979 Bahrain
BAH 1952 Bahamas
BAN 1980 Bangladesh
BAR 1955 Barbados
BLR 1993 Belarus
BEL 1906 Belgium
BIZ 1967 Belize
BEN 1962 Benin
BER 1936 Bermuda
BHU 1983 Bhutan
BOL 1936 Bolivia
BIH 1993 Bosnia&Herzegovina
BOT 1980 Botswana
BRA 1935 Brazil
BRU 1984 Brunei Darussalam
BUL 1924 Bulgaria
BUR 1972 Burkina Faso
BDI 1993 Burundi
CAM 1994 Cambodia
CMR 1963 Cameroon
CAN 1907 Canada
CPV 1993 Cape Verde
CAY 1976 Cayman Islands
CAF 1965 Central African Rep.
CHA 1964 Chad
CHI 1934 Chile
CHN 1979 China
COL 1939 Colombia
COM 1993 Comoros
COD 1968 Congo, Dem. Rep.
CGO 1964 Congo, Rep.
COK 1986 Cook Islands
CRC 1954 Costa Rica
CIV 1963 Côte d'Ivoire
CRO 1993 Croatia
CUB 1954 Cuba
CYP 1978 Cyprus
CZE 1993 Czech Republic
DEN 1905 Denmark
DJI 1984 Djibouti
DMA 1993 Dominica
DOM 1962 Dominican Republic
ECU 1959 Ecuador
EGY 1910 Egypt
ESA 1962 El Salvador
GEQ 1984 Equatorial Guinea
ERI 1999 Eritrea
EST 1991 Estonia
ETH 1954 Ethiopia
FIJ 1955 Fiji
FIN 1907 Finland
FRA 1894 France
GAB 1968 Gabon
GAM 1976 Gambia
GEO 1993 Georgia
GER 1895 Germany
GHA 1952 Ghana
GBR 1905 Great Britain
GRE 1895 Greece
GRN 1984 Grenada
GUM 1986 Guam
GUA 1947 Guatemala
GUI 1965 Guinea
GBS 1995 Guinea-Bissau
GUY 1948 Guyana
HAI 1924 Haiti
HON 1956 Honduras
HKG 1951 Hong Kong
HUN 1895 Hungary
ISL 1935 Iceland
IND 1927 India
INA 1952 Indonesia
IRI 1947 Iran
IRQ 1948 Iraq
IRL 1922 Ireland
ISR 1952 Israel
ITA 1915 Italy
JAM 1936 Jamaica
JPN 1912 Japan
JOR 1963 Jordan
KAZ 1993 Kazakhstan
KEN 1955 Kenya
KIR 2003 Kiribati
PRK 1957 Korea, DPR
KOR 1947 Korea, Republic
KOS 2014 Kosovo
KUW 1966 Kuwait
KGZ 1993 Kyrgyzstan
LAO 1979 Laos
LAT 1991 Latvia
LIB 1948 Lebanon
LES 1972 Lesotho
LBR 1955 Liberia
LBA 1963 Libya
LIE 1935 Liechtenstein
LTU 1991 Lithuania
LUX 1912 Luxembourg
MKD 1993 North Macedonia
MAD 1964 Madagascar
MAW 1968 Malawi
MAS 1954 Malaysia
MDV 1985 Maldives
MHL 2006 Marshall Islands
MLI 1963 Mali
MLT 1936 Malta
MTN 1979 Mauritania
MRI 1972 Mauritius
MEX 1923 Mexico
FSM 1997 Micronesia, Fed. St.
MDA 1993 Moldova
MON 1953 Monaco
MGL 1962 Mongolia
MNE 2007 Montenegro
MAR 1959 Morocco
MOZ 1979 Mozambique
MYA 1947 Myanmar
NAM 1991 Namibia
NRU 1994 Nauru
NEP 1963 Nepal
NED 1912 Netherlands
AHO 1950 Netherlands Antilles
NZL 1919 New Zealand
NCA 1959 Nicaragua
NIG 1964 Niger
NGR 1951 Nigeria
NOR 1900 Norway
OMA 1982 Oman
PAK 1948 Pakistan
PLW 1999 Palau
PLE 1996 Palestine
PAN 1947 Panama
PNG 1974 Papua New Guinea
PAR 1970 Paraguay
PER 1936 Peru
PHI 1929 Philippines
POL 1919 Poland
POR 1909 Portugal
PUR 1948 Puerto Rico
QAT 1980 Qatar
ROU 1914 Romania
RUS 1993 Russia
RWA 1984 Rwanda
SKN 1993 Saint Kitts and Nevis
LCA 1993 Saint Lucia
VIN 1987 Saint Vincent
SAM 1983 Samoa
SMR 1959 San Marino
STP 1993 São Tomé & Príncipe
KSA 1965 Saudi Arabia
SEN 1963 Senegal
SRB 1920 Serbia
SEY 1979 Seychelles
SLE 1964 Sierra Leone
SIN 1948 Singapore
SVK 1993 Slovakia
SLO 1993 Slovenia
SOL 1983 Solomon Islands
SOM 1972 Somalia
RSA 1991 South Africa
SSD 2015 South Sudan
ESP 1924 Spain
SRI 1937 Sri Lanka
SUD 1959 Sudan
SUR 1959 Surinam
SWZ 1972 Eswatini
SWE 1913 Sweden
SUI 1912 Switzerland
SYR 1948 Syria
TPE 1960 Chinese Taipei
TJK 1993 Tajikistan
TAN 1968 Tanzania
THA 1950 Thailand
TLS 2003 Timor-Leste
TOG 1965 Togo
TGA 1984 Tonga
TRI 1948 Trinidad and Tobago
TUN 1957 Tunisia
TUR 1911 Turkey
TKM 1993 Turkmenistan
TUV 2007 Tuvalu
UGA 1956 Uganda
UKR 1993 Ukraine
UAE 1980 United Arab Emirates
USA 1894 United States America
URU 1923 Uruguay
UZB 1993 Uzbekistan
VTU 1987 Vanuatu
VEN 1935 Venezuela
VIE 1979 Viet Nam
IVB 1982 Virgin Islands (British)
ISV 1967 Virgin Islands (US)
YEM 1981 Yemen
ZAM 1964 Zambia
ZIM 1980 Zimbabwe
total 206

List by Date:

nr code IOC
year
country admission remarks first
part.
1 GRE 1895 Greece M. Bikelas,
president of the original IOC
1896
2 FRA 1894 France Pierre de Coubertin, M Callot,
members of the original IOC
1896
3 ARG 1923 Argentina Dr Zubiaur (URU),
member of the original IOC
1900
4 AUS 1895 Australia Leonard Cuff (NZL),
member of the original IOC
until 1912 joint team
with New Zealand
1896
5 CZE
TCH
1993 Czech Republic Jiri Guth,
member of the original IOC
1900-1912 Bohemia
1920-1992 Czechoslovakia
1900
6 GBR 1905 Great Britain C. Herbert, Lord Ampthill,
members of the original IOC
1896
7 HUN 1895 Hungary Franz Kemeny,
member of the original IOC
1896
8 ITA 1915 Italy Count Luchesi-Palli,
member of the original IOC
1896
9 RUS
URS
1993 Russia General Butkowsky,
member of the original IOC
1920-1948 absent
USSR admitted 1951
1952-1988 USSR, 1992 Unified Team
1900
10 SWE 1913 Sweden Commandant Balck,
member of the original IOC
1896
11 USA 1894 United States America W.M. Sloane,
member of the original IOC
1896
12 BEL 1906 Belgium Count Maxime de Bousis,
member of the IOC in 1894
1900
13 GER
FRG
1895 Germany Dr. Karl Gebhardt,
member of the IOC in 1896
Membership retracted 1946-1950
1950: Federal Republic readmitted
1896
14 AUT 1912 Austria Athletes present at Athina 1896
15 DEN 1905 Denmark Athletes present at Athina 1896
16 SUI 1912 Switzerland Athletes present at Athina 1896
17 NED 1912 Netherlands Baron van Tuyll van Serooskerken,
member of the IOC in 1898
code was HOL until 1991 1900
18 ROU 1914 Romania Prince Gheorghe Bibesco,
member of the IOC in 1899
1900
19 MEX 1923 Mexico Athletes present at Paris 1900
20 NOR 1900 Norway Athletes present at Paris 1900
21 ESP 1924 Spain Athletes present at Paris 1900
22 CAN 1907 Canada Athletes present at St. Louis 1904
23 RSA 1991 South Africa Athletes present at St. Louis 1904
24 PER 1936 Peru Carlos de Candamo,
member of the IOC in 1905
de Candamo competed in 1900 1900
25 FIN 1907 Finland Athletes present at Athina 1906
26 BUL 1924 Bulgaria Dimitry Tzokov,
member of the IOC in 1906
1924
27 POR 1909 Portugal Duke Antonio de Lancastre,
member of the IOC in 1906
1912
20 teams competed at London;
absent were Argentina, Bulgaria, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Romania and Spain
28 MON 1953 Monaco Count Albert Gautier Vignal,
member of the IOC in 1908
1920
29 TUR 1911 Turkey Selim Sirri Bey Tarcan,
member of the IOC in 1908
1912
30 JPN 1912 Japan Professor Jigaro Kano,
member of the IOC in 1909
1912
31 EGY 1910 Egypt Angelos Khristos Bolanaki,
member of the IOC in 1910
NOC suspended 1933, officially readmitted 1934.
1960-1962 part of the United Arab Republic
1962-1970 still called UAR.
1912
32 LUX 1912 Luxembourg Jean-Maurice Pescatore,
member of the IOC in 1910
1912
33 CHI 1934 Chile Professor Oscar N. Garcia,
member of the IOC in 1911
1912
34 SRB
SCG
YUG
1920 Serbia Svetomir Dukic,
member of the IOC in 1911
1912: Serbia; 1920-1988: Yugoslavia
1992-2002: Yugoslavia, name changed in 2003 to S&M - 2006 : Serbia
1912
27 teams were present at Stockholm (the one Egyptian did not actually compete though)
absent were Argentina, Bulgaria, Mexico, Monaco, Peru, Romania, Spain
35 BRA 1935 Brazil Raúl do Rio Branco,
member of the IOC in 1913
1920
36
(°)
- - Central America Pédro Jaimé de Matheu,
member of the IOC in 1920
-
37 ECU 1959 Ecuador Eduardo Dorn y de Alsua,
member of the IOC in 1920
1924
38 NZL 1919 New Zealand Arthur Marryatt,
member of the IOC in 1920
prior to 1920 part of Australasian team 1920
39 IND 1927 India Sir Dorabyi Jamsetji Tata,
member of the IOC in 1920
1920
40 EST 1991 Estonia team present at Antwerpen 1920
29 teams competed at Antwerpen
5 nations were not invited: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary and Turkey
6 nations did not participate: Central America, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Romania, Russia
41 URU 1923 Uruguay Dr F. Chigliani,
member of the IOC in 1921
1924
42 CHN 1979 China Dr C.T. Wang,
member of the IOC in 1922
in 1952, the IOC decided to recognise the NOC
of the republic of China (Formosa) but not to invite any
Chinese team until the matter is settled.
in 1954, China (Democratic) is also admitted, but
in 1958, Peking resigns from the IOC.
Readmitted 1979.
1924
43 IRI 1947 Iran Nizam Eddine Khoï,
member of the IOC in 1922
Known as Persia before 1945
officially recognised (as Iran) in 1947
1948
44 IRL 1922 Ireland J.-J. Keane,
member of the IOC in 1922
officially listed as Eire from 1936 to 1951 1924
45 POL 1919 Poland Prince Casimir Lubomirski,
member of the IOC in 1922
1924
46 CUB 1954 Cuba Porfirio Franca,
member of the IOC in 1923
1924
47 HAI 1924 Haiti team present at Paris 1924 1924
48 LAT 1991 Latvia team present at Paris 1924 1924
49 LIT 1991 Lithuania team present at Paris 1924 1924
50 PHI 1929 Philippines team present at Paris 1924 1924
45 teams competed at Paris
Germany was not invited; 4 countries were absent: Central America, Persia, Peru, Russia
51 BOL 1936 Bolivia listed in the 1926 NOC list 1936
52 COL 1939 Colombia listed in the 1926 NOC list 1948
36
(°)
ESA 1962 El Salvador listed in the 1926 NOC list,
repr. by the member for C.Amer.
1968
53 GUA 1947 Guatemala listed in the 1926 NOC list
officially recognised 1947
1952
54 NCA 1959 Nicaragua listed in the 1926 NOC list,
repr. by the member for C.Amer.
1968
55 PAR 1970 Paraguay listed in the 1926 NOC list 1968
56 VEN 1935 Venezuela listed in the 1926 NOC list 1948
The first Official Bulletin of the IOC (January 1926) lists 52 National Olympic Committees (and Central America as well):
Lithuania, Persia, the Philippines and Russia are not listed, although there are IOC members for Persia and Russia.
57 MLT 1936 Malta accepted to compete in 1928
(IOC Bulletin July 1928)
1928
58 ZIM 1980 Zimbabwe accepted to compete in 1928
(IOC Bulletin July 1928)
1928-1963 Rhodesia or South Rhodesia
1963 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
1928
59 PAN 1947 Panama team present at Amsterdam
officially recognised 1947
1928
46 teams competed at Amsterdam:
13 countries were absent: Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Nicaragua, Paraguay, Persia, Peru, Russia, Venezuela
In 1929 the decision was taken that only countries with a National Olympic Committee were allowed to compete at the Olympics
60 ISL 1935 Iceland listed in the LA Official report 1936
The Official Report of the LA Olympics lists 52 National Olympic Committees, Bolivia is listed as having "no official committee"
8 countries are missing: Russia and Persia (although they have an IOC member),
Rhodesia and Panama (who never had a Committee, but competed at Amsterdam),
El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela
40 teams competed at Los Angeles.12 of the 52 NOCs listed above were absent:
Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Iceland, Lithuania, Malta, Peru, Romania and Turkey.
61 AFG 1936 Afghanistan listed in the 1932 NOC list 1948
The Official Bulletin of the IOC (June 1932) lists 53 National Olympic Committees (and Central America)
8 countries: Ecuador, Iceland, Lithuania, Malta, Panama, Persia, Rhodesia and Russia are not on this list
62 ISR 1952 Israel Officially admitted 1934
as Palestine
1952
63 LIE 1935 Liechtenstein listed in Official Bulletin
of August 1935
1936
The Official Bulletin of the IOC (December 1935) lists 56 National Olympic Committees (and Central America)
the 7 missing countries are Ecuador, Lithuania, Malta, Panama, Persia, Rhodesia and Russia
64 BER 1936 Bermuda listed in Official Bulletin
of June 1936
1936
65 JAM 1936 Jamaica listed in Official Bulletin
of June 1936
part of the West Indies 1958-1962 1948
The Official Bulletin of the IOC (June 1936) lists 59 National Olympic Committees (and Central America)
the 6 missing countries are Ecuador, Lithuania, Panama, Persia, Rhodesia and Russia
The Official report of the Berlin Olympics says 59 countries were invited (including Central America) (plus Germany makes 60)
The Official report of the Berlin Olympics lists 51 National Olympic Committees
Missing in that list are Bolivia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and Palestine
66 CRC 1954 Costa Rica competed in Berlin 1936
50 countries were present in Berlin, although the one Haitian participant never competed.
the 51 officially listed NOC's, plus Bolivia and Costa Rica (which was invited as "Central Am.")
but Ireland (troubles with IOC), Jamaica (included in the British team) and Spain (civil war) were absent.
67 SRI
CEY
1937 Sri Lanka listed in IOC Bulletin 1938 Originally known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka from 1980 1948
The Official Bulletin of the IOC (October 1938) lists 60 National Olympic Committees (and Central America)
the 7 missing countries are Austria (after the Anschluss) Ecuador, Lithuania, Panama, Persia, Rhodesia and Russia
68 SVK 1993 Slovakia accepted in 1939 after the partition
of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis
1994
The Offical Bulletin of the IOC (October 1939) lists 62 National Olympic Committees (and Central America)
Lithuania finally has a NOC, and Czechoslovakia is divided in Bohemia-Moravia and Slovakia
the 6 missing countries are Austria, Ecuador, Panama, Persia, Rhodesia and Russia
The Official Bulletin of the IOC (October 1946) lists 58 National Olympic Committees.
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are countries that no longer exist (*)
Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Persia, Rhodesia and the Soviet Union are missing.
The Official Bulletin of the IOC (February 1947) lists only 54 National Olympic Committees.
Germany has been omitted.
Costa Rica, Guatemala and Monaco have not yet renewed their affiliations.
69 KOR 1947 Korea, Republic recognised 1947 as Korea 1948
70 MYA
BIR
1947 Myanmar recognised 1947 as Burma 1948
71 TRI 1948 Trinidad and Tobago recognised 1947 as Trinidad
readmitted '62 as Trinidad & Tobago
part of the West Indies 1958-1962 1948
Starting in 1947, the Official Bulletin of the IOC mentions the countries whose NOC's are recognised by the IOC.
Together with Korea, Burma and Trinidad, also Iran, Guatemala and Panama are recognised.
The applications from Curaçao, Java, Singapore and Lebanon are postponed.
There are now 61 recognised NOCs. (Monaco has reappeared on the list).
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Nicaragua, Rhodesia and the Soviet Union, as well as the 4 former countries (*) are still missing.
72 LIB 1948 Lebanon recognised 1948 1948
73 PAK 1948 Pakistan recognised 1948 1948
74 PUR 1948 Puerto Rico recognised 1948 1948
75 SYR 1948 Syria recognised 1948 1960-1962 part of the United Arab Republic 1948
These 4 countries (and Colombia, although present on previous lists) were accepted at St. Moritz 1948.
This brings the membership to 65
76 GUY 1948 Guyana recognised 1948 as British Guyana 1968 Guyana 1948
77 IRQ 1948 Iraq recognised 1948 1948
78 SIN 1948 Singapore recognised 1948 1964 part of Malaysia 1965 independent 1948
These 3 countries were accepted at London 1948.
There are now 68 members.
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Nicaragua, Rhodesia and the Soviet Union, as well as the 4 former countries (*) are still missing.
67 countries are invited to the games (Japan is not)
Although Palestine is a member, Israel is not admitted to the London games.
Of the 66 invited members, 58 countries participated at London.
8 countries: Bolivia, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Monaco, Paraguay, Romania did not participate
- AHO 1950 Netherlands Antilles recognised 1950 dissolved 2010 1952
79 THA 1950 Thailand recognised 1950 1952
- 1950 Saarland recognised 1950 dissolved 1956 1952
At the 1950 session at Kopenhagen, Israel's application is postponed,
but the admission of the Federal Republic of Germany is accepted.
This brings the total membership to 72, including the Netherlands Antilles and Saarland which are not numbered.
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Rhodesia and the Soviet Union, as well as the 4 former countries (*) are still missing.
80 NGR 1951 Nigeria recognised 1951 1952
81 GHA 1952 Ghana recognised 1951 as Gold Coast renamed Ghana in 1958 1952
82 HKG 1951 China Hong Kong recognised 1951 as Hong Kong 1952
At the IOC session of Wien, the NOC of the USSR is also admitted.
This brings the total membership to 76, including the Netherlands Antilles and Saarland which are not numbered.
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Rhodesia, as well as the 4 former countries (*) are still missing.
83 INA 1952 Indonesia recognised 1952 suspended 1962-1964 1952
84 VIE 1979 Viet Nam recognised 1952 1952
85 BAH 1952 Bahamas recognised 1952 (not in any PV) 1952
Also in 1952, the NOC of Israël is recognised, replacing the previously recognised NOC of Palestine
This brings the total membership to 79, including the Netherlands Antilles and Saarland which are not numbered.
8 countries: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Rhodesia, as well as the 4 former countries (*) are still missing.
69 countries participate in Helsinki, China not being invited (unclear which Committee to invite) and 9 are missing:
Afghanistan, Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Haïti, Iraq, Malta, Paraguay and Peru.
During the IOC session of 1953 in Mexico, no new NOC are recognised.
The applications of East Germany and Communist China are postponed.
86 DOM 1962 Dominican Republic recognised 1954 1964
The executive Committee recognised in 1954 the NOC's of Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic,
but noticed that the NOC of Haïti had been dissolved.
That brings the total membership to 80, including the Netherlands Antilles and Saarland which are not numbered.
8 countries: Ecuador, Haïti, Nicaragua and Rhodesia, as well as the 4 former countries (*) are still missing.
87 TPE 1960 Chinese Taipei a second NOC (Peking) is
recognised in 1954
designated "Republic of China" 1959,
but the team competes as "Taiwan" in 1960
1956
88 ETH 1954 Ethiopia recognised 1954 1956
89 MAS 1954 Malaysia recognised 1954 as Malaya 1964 Malaysia 1956
The IOC session of Athina 1954 recognises Democratic China, thereby acknowledging that two NOCs exist in China. 
The IOC refuses recognition to East Germany and Northern Rhodesia
That brings the total membership to 83, including the Netherlands Antilles and Saarland which are not numbered.
The same 8 countries are still missing.
90 BAR 1955 Barbados recognised 1955 part of the West Indies 1958-1962 1968
91 KEN 1955 Kenya recognised 1955 1956
92 FIJ 1955 Fiji recognised 1955 1956
93 LBR 1955 Liberia recognised 1955 1956
- GDR 1955 East Germany recognised 1955 1968
The IOC session of Paris 1955 recognises the NOC of East Germany (provided the two Germanies send one team to the OG)
Northern Rhodesia is yet again refused. Ecuador is specifically mentioned as being retracted its (provisional) recognition.
That brings the number of NOCs to 88, including East Germany, the Netherlands Antilles and Saarland which are not numbered.
8 countries: Ecuador, Haïti, Nicaragua and Rhodesia, as well as the 4 former countries (*) are still missing.
94 UGA 1956 Uganda recognised 1956 1956
- 1956 North Borneo recognised 1956 1964 part of Malaysia 1956
At the IOC session of Cortina d'Ampezzo, 2 more NOCs are recognised, while an application from Papua is rejected.
That brings the number of NOCs to 90, including East Germany, the Netherlands Antilles, North Borneo and Saarland which are not numbered.
there are still 8 former member nations without a recognised NOC at this time.
95 CAM 1994 Cambodia participated in Stockholm 1956
recognised 1961
Recognition retracted in the 1970's 1956
96 HON 1956 Honduras recognised 1956 1968
At the IOC session of Melbourne, the applications of Cambodia, Papua and Tunisia are rejected.
Cambodia had meanwhile participated in the Equestrian events held in Stockholm
The application of North Korea is also rejected, and they are asked to form a single team with South Korea.
Also in 1956, the NOC of Saarland ceases to exist after this country rejoins the federal republic of Germany.
This brings the number of NOCs to 90, including East Germany, the Netherlands Antilles and North Borneo which are not numbered.
there are now 9 nations who have previously competed without a recognised NOC at this time:
Cambodia, Ecuador, Haïti, Nicaragua and Rhodesia, as well as the 4 former countries (*)
At the Olympic Games in Melbourne, several countries refuse to participate for political reasons:
The Netherlands*°, Spain*° and Switzerland*° out of protest for the Soviet invasion of Hungary;
Egypt°, Lebanon*, Iraq and Syria out of protest for the Suez crisis;
China (Peking) out of protest for the admission of China (Taipei)
14 other countries did not send a team: Barbados, Bolivia*, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Gold Coast,
Guatemala, Honduras, Liechtenstein*, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, and Paraguay.
90 member countries minus East Germany, 8 boycotts and 15 absents means that 67 countries participated in Melbourne.
The countries marked with * did participate in Cortina d'Ampezzo and those with ° in Stockholm.
That means that a total of 75 countries (including Cambodia) participated in Olympic Games in 1956.
97 TUN 1957 Tunisia recognised 1957 1960
98 PRK 1957 Korea, DPR recognised 1957, provided their
athletes form one Korean team
designated North Korea until 1969 1972
99 TAN 1968 Tanzania recognised 1958 as Tanganyika 1968 recognised as Tanzania 1964
- West Indies recognised 1958 previously Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad 1960
In 1958, the NOC of Chiina (Peking) decides to leave the IOC.
In the same year, the NOCs of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad decide to merge into one NOC for the West Indies.
Cambodia is once more rejected at the IOC session in Tokyo.
This leaves 90 NOCs, including 4 that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, North Borneo, West Indies)
and a list of 13 countries previously affiliated:
Barbados, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Haïti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Rhodesia and Trinidad, as well as the 4 former countries (*)
100 ALB 1959 Albania recognised 1959 1960
101 MAR 1959 Morocco recognised 1959 1960
102 SMR 1959 San Marino recognised 1959 1960
103 SUD 1959 Sudan recognised 1959 1960
104 SUR 1959 Surinam recognised 1959 1968
In addition, the IOC session of München recognises Ecuador, Nicaragua and Rhodesia, and Haïti is (provisionally) readmitted.
The NOC of China (Taipei) is told that it cannot retain the name of China and will be asked to take another name or be suspended.
North Korea is not listed as long as it does not agree to form one single team.
This brings the number of recognised NOCs to 98, including 4 that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, North Borneo, West Indies)
and a list of 10 countries previously affiliated:
Barbados, Cambodia, China (PR), Jamaica, Korea (PR) and Trinidad, as well as the 4 former countries (*)
At the IOC session of San Francisco (1960), an application by Gibraltar is rejected.
At the IOC session of Roma (1960), this application is again postponed, as are the applications of Mali, Somalia and Cambodia.
The NOC of the United Arab Republic replaces those of Egypt and Syria.
The NOC of El Salvador is no longer recognised.
This reduces the number of recognised NOCs to 96.
This includes 5 that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, North Borneo, United Arab Republic, West Indies).
and excludes 13 countries previously affiliated: Barbados, Cambodia, China (PR), El Salvador, Egypt, Jamaica,
Korea (PR), Syria and Trinidad, as well as the 4 former countries (*)
84 teams were present in Rome, although apparently no athlete from Suriname took part.
Apart from East Germany, who formed one team together with West Germany, 11 NOCs were absent: Albania, Bolivia,
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, North Borneo, Paraguay and Tanganyika.
In 1961, Cambodia is recognised.
Somalia, Gibraltar, Mongolia and Saudi Arabia are postponed, El Salvador remains suspended.
There are now 97 member NOCs,
including 5 that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, North Borneo, United Arab Republic, West Indies).
and excluding 12 countries previously affiliated: Barbados, China (PR), El Salvador, Egypt, Jamaica,
Korea (PR), Syria and Trinidad, as well as the 4 former countries (*)
In 1962, the Federation of Egypt and Syria comes to an end. Egypt continues to be called the United Arab Republic. (98)
El Salvador is readmitted
Also in 1962, the Federation of the West Indies come to an end. Jamaica en Trinidad are once again recognised as NOCs.
The West Indies continue to represent the other islands (at first including Barbados) (101)
105 MGL 1962 Mongolia recognised 1962 1964
106 BEN
DAH
1962 Benin recognised 1962 as Dahomey known as Benin from 1980 1972
North Korea are readmitted.
There are now 104 member NOCs, because the West Indies continue to be considered an NOC.
including 4 that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, North Borneo, West Indies),
and excluding 6 countries previously affiliated: Barbados, China (PR) and the 4 former countries (*)
107 LBA 1963 Libya recognised 1963 1968
Barbados is readmitted (but the West Indies continue to be listed) (106)
Indonesia is suspended / has resigned over the organisation of the Ganefo games which included Communist China.(105)
108 CMR 1963 Cameroon recognised 1963 1964
109 CIV 1963 Côte d'Ivoire recognised 1963 1964
110 JOR 1963 Jordan recognised 1963 1980
111 MLI 1963 Mali recognised 1963 1968
112 NEP 1963 Nepal recognised 1963 1964
113 SEN 1963 Senegal recognised 1963 1964
114 ZAM 1963 Zambia recognised 1963
as Northern Rhodesia
renamed Zambia 1965 1964
At the IOC session of Baden Baden, 7 countries are recognised.
Papua & New Guinea, Mauritania, Kuwait and Sarawak are not.
Rhodesia becomes the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, but Southern and Northern Rhodesia both get an NOC.
Malaya, North Borneo and Singapore have merged to form Malaysia.
There are now 110 member NOCs, including 3 that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, West Indies),
and excluding 7 countries previously affiliated: China (PR), Indonesia, Singapore and the 4 former countries (*)
115 ALG 1964 Algeria recognised 1964 1964
116 NIG 1964 Niger recognised 1964 1964
117 SLE 1964 Sierra Leone recognised 1964 1968
118 CGO 1964 Congo, Rep. recognised 1964 1964
119 MAD 1964 Madagascar recognised 1964 1964
At the IOC session of Innsbrück, 5 countries are recognised. Chad is not yet.
There are now 115 member NOCs,
including 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, West Indies),
and excluding 7 countries previously affiliated: China (PR), Indonesia, Singapore and the 4 former countries (*)
120 CHA 1964 Chad recognised 1964 1964
121 CAF 1965 Central African Rep. recognised 1965 1968
Indonesia is readmitted.
There are now 118 member NOCs, including 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, West Indies),
and excluding 6 countries previously affiliated: China (PR), Singapore and the 4 former countries (*)
South Africa is not invited to the Tokyo Games, and the two Germanies, as well as UAR & Syria send unified teams.
Of 115 invited teams, 93 are present at Tokyo.
22 countries are absent: Albania, Barbados, Central African Republic, Dahomey, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala,
Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Mali, Malta, Nicaragua, Paraguay, North Korea, San Marino, Sierra Leone,
Sudan, Surinam and the West Indies.
122 GUI 1965 Guinea recognised 1965 1968
123 KSA 1965 Saudi Arabia recognised 1965 1972
124 TOG 1965 Togo recognised 1965 1972
In 1965, Singapore secedes from Malaysia and its NOC is readmitted.
There are now 122 member NOCs, including 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, West Indies),
and excluding 5 countries previously affiliated: China (PR) and the 4 former countries (*)
125 KUW 1966 Kuwait recognised 1966 1968
At the IOC session of Roma, the applications from the Virgin Islands and Gabon are rejected.
There are now 123 NOCs.
126 ISV 1967 Virgin Islands (US) recognised 1967 1968
The number of NOCs remains at 123 because nothing is heard from Tanganyika, a country which has ceased to exist.
Tanzania has not yet asked for recognition.
127 BIZ 1967 Belize recognised 1967 as British Honduras Renamed Belize 1976 1968
128 GAB 1968 Gabon recognised 1967 1972
129 MAW 1968 Malawi recognised 1968 1972
130 COD
ZAI
1968 Congo, Dem. Rep. recognised 1968 as Zaire 1968
At the IOC session in Mexico, Malawi and Tanzania (and apparently Zaire, though not in the PV) are recognised.
At the Mexico Olympics, there are 128 recognised NOCs, including 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, West Indies),
and excluding 5 countries previously affiliated: China (PR) and the 4 former countries (*)
Rhodesia and South Africa are not invited, and 14 other countries are absent: Albania, Cambodia, Congo, Dahomey,
Gabon, Haiti, Jordan, Liberia, Malawi, Nepal, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Togo and the West Indies.
131 LES 1972 Lesotho recognised 1972 (Sapporo) 1972
132 MRI 1972 Mauritius recognised 1972 (Sapporo) 1984
133 BUR
VOL
1972 Burkina Faso recognised 1972 (Sapporo)
as Upper Volta
1972
134 SOM 1972 Somalia recognised 1972 (München) 1972
135 SWZ 1972 Eswatini recognised 1972 (München) 1972
At the IOC session in Sapporo, 3 countries are recognised outright, Somalia, Swaziland (now Eswatini) and Yemen provisionally.
Papua & New Guinea is not recognised.
At the IOC session in München, Somalia is recognised, Gambia provisionally.
At the München Olympics, there are 133 recognised NOCs, including 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles, West Indies),
and excluding 5 countries previously affiliated: China (PR) and the 4 former countries (*)
Rhodesia and South Africa are not invited.
Of the 131 invited countries, 122 turn up.
The 9 missing NOCs are the Central African Republic, Guinea, Honduras, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Zaire and the West Indies.
136 PNG 1974 Papua New Guinea recognised 1974 1976
A book of 1975, by Lord Kilanin, lists 132 NOCs, no longer including South Africa and the West Indies.
137 AND 1975 Andorra recognised 1975 1976
At the IOC session of Lausanne, Rhodesia is excluded. There are now 132 NOCs.
138 ANT 1976 Antigua and Barbuda recognised 1976 1976
139 CAY 1976 Cayman Islands recognised 1976 1976
140 GAM 1976 Gambia recognised 1976 1984
By the time of the Montreal Olympics there are 133 NOCs. Cambodia and Vietnam are no longer recognised.
This includes 2 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles), and excludes 9 countries previously affiliated:
Cambodia, China (PR), Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, South Africa, Vietnam and the 4 former countries (*)
133 NOCs are invited to Montreal.
13 countries did not accept the invitation: Afghanistan, Albania, Burma, Dahomey, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia,
Jordan, Malta, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Syria.
120 NOCs accepted the invitation and were listed in the IOC bulletin.(actually only 118, Gambia and Lebanon are missing)
The Montreal Games were boycotted by the African nations out of protest over the fact that New Zealand, who had sent a
Rugby tour to South Africa had not been excluded from the Games
10 countries did not go to Montreal at all: El Salvador (technical difficulties), Sri Lanka, Taiwan,
Central African Republic, Gabon, Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania and Zaire (boycott).
15 other countries decided on a boycott one day before the start of the Games, and 7 when the Games had already started:
Algeria, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Sudan, Swaziland,
Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Upper Volta and Zambia, as well as Guyana and Iraq.
That left 88 official teams, but competitors from Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia did compete on the first day,
bringing the total count of participating countries to 92.
141 CYP 1978 Cyprus recognised 1978 1980
142 BRN 1979 Bahrain recognised 1979 1984
143 LAO 1979 Laos recognised 1979 1980
144 MTN 1979 Mauritania recognised 1979 1984
145 MOZ 1979 Mozambique recognised 1979 1980
146 SEY 1979 Seychelles recognised 1979 1980
In 1979, the NOCs of the People's Republic of China and Vietnam are also recognised again.
There are now 141 NOC's recognised. This includes 2 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles),
and excludes 7 countries previously affiliated: Cambodia, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, South Africa and the 4 former countries (*)
147 ANG 1980 Angola recognised 1980 1980
148 BAN 1980 Bangladesh recognised 1980 1984
149 BOT 1980 Botswana recognised 1980 1980
150 QAT 1980 Qatar recognised 1980 1984
Apart from these four, Zimbabwe is also recognised in 1980.
There are now 146 NOC's recognised. This includes 2 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles),
and excludes 6 countries previously affiliated: Cambodia, South Africa and the 4 former countries (*)
On 27 May 1980, the IOC in Lausanne lists these 146 countries and divides them into:
85 countries who have accepted the invitation to Moskva, 28 who have refused, 29 who have not yet responded,
and 4: Chinese Taipei, Iran, Mozambique and Qatar whose constitutions do not conform to IOC regulations.
12 countries are listed that have applied for recognition, including the UAE, who are recognised later in 1980.
Six of the 85 were not in Moskva after all, while Mozambique were, so there were 80 countries present in Moskva.
(Liberia is listed in official sources as well, but none of their 7 athletes actually competed)
These are the 66 countries that were not present at the Moskva games:
6 that accepted and then declined: Gabon, Mauritius, Niger, Panama, Surinam, Upper Volta
28 that refused : Albania, Argentina°, Bahrain, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Canada°, China°, Gambia, Germany (West)°,
Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Liechtenstein°, Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritania, Pakistan, Paraguay,
Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, United States°
29 that had not replied: Antigua, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia°, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile,
Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Ghana, Haiti, Japan°, Korea (Rep)°, Liberia, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands Antilles,
Norway°, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Virgin Islands, Zaire
3 countries whose recognition is suspended: Chinese Taipeh, Iran, Qatar
Of these 66, 10 (marked °) did participate in Lake Placid, so a total of 90 countries participated in the 1980 Olympics.
151 UAE 1980 United Arab Emirates recognised 1980 1984
152 YEM
YAR/
YMD
1981 Yemen recognised 1981 Merged 1991 1984
Both Yemens (Arab Republic and People's Democratic Republic) are recognised. They will merge in 1991.
There are now 149 NOC's recognised. This includes 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles and one Yemen),
and excludes 6 countries previously affiliated: Cambodia, South Africa and the 4 former countries (*)
153 OMA 1982 Oman recognised 1982 1984
154 IVB 1982 Virgin Islands (British) recognised 1982 1984
155 BHU 1983 Bhutan recognised 1983 1984
156 SAM 1983 Samoa recognised 1983 1984
157 SOL 1983 Solomon Islands recognised 1983 1984
158 BRU 1984 Brunei Darussalam recognised 1984 1996
159 DJI 1984 Djibouti recognised 1984 1984
160 GEQ 1984 Equatorial Guinea recognised 1984 1984
161 GRN 1984 Grenada recognised 1984 1984
162 RWA 1984 Rwanda recognised 1984 1984
163 TGA 1984 Tonga recognised 1984 1984
By 1984, there are 160 NOC's recognised. This includes 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles and one Yemen),
and excludes 6 countries previously affiliated: Cambodia, South Africa and the 4 former countries (*)
19 countries decide to boycott the Los Angeles Olympics:
Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Germany (East), Hungary, Iran, Korea (PR), Laos,
Lybia, Mongolia, Poland, Soviet Union, Upper Volta, Vietnam, Yemen (DR)
Brunei simply remain absent, so 140 countries participate at Los Angeles
164 MDV 1985 Maldives recognised 1985 1988
165 ARU 1986 Aruba recognised 1986 1988
166 COK 1986 Cook Islands recognised 1986 1988
167 GUM 1986 Guam recognised 1986 1988
168 ASA 1987 American Samoa recognised 1987 1988
169 VIN 1987 Saint Vincent recognised 1987 1988
170 VTU 1987 Vanuatu recognised 1987 1988
By 1988, there are 167 NOC's recognised. This includes 3 countries that no longer exist (East Germany, Netherlands Antilles and one Yemen),
and excludes 6 countries previously affiliated: Cambodia, South Africa and the 4 former countries (*)
167 countries are invited to Soul, and six countries don't answer to the invitation:
Albania, Cuba, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, North Korea and the Seychelles.
Brunei and Madagascar then also remain absent, so 159 countries participate in Soul.
171 NAM 1991 Namibia recognised 1991 1992
In 1991, South Africa is readmitted into the IOC and newly independent Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania make their reappearance.
East and West Germany reunite, and so do North and South Yemen.
There are now 170 NOC's recognised, including 1 country that no longer exists (Netherlands Antilles), and excluding Cambodia and Slovakia.
172 BIH 1993 Bosnia&Herzegovina provisionally recognised 1992
recognised 1993
1992
173 CRO 1993 Croatia provisionally recognised 1992
recognised 1993
1992
174 SLO 1993 Slovenia provisionally recognised 1992
recognised 1993
1992
Three former Yugoslav republics were provisionally accepted just prior to the Barcelona Games.
Athletes from Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia were allowed to compete as IOP (Independent Olympic Participants).
There are now 172 NOC's recognised, including 1 country that no longer exists (Netherlands Antilles), and excluding Cambodia, Slovakia and Yugoslavia.
Afghanistan, Brunei, Liberia and Somalia cannot send teams, so 168 countries (plus the IOP) are present at Barcelona.
175 ARM 1993 Armenia recognised 1993 1994
176 AZE 1993 Azerbaijan recognised 1993 1996
177 BLR 1993 Belarus recognised 1993 1994
178 BDI 1993 Burundi recognised 1993 1996
179 CPV 1993 Cape Verde recognised 1993 1996
180 COM 1993 Comoros recognised 1993 1996
181 DMA 1993 Dominica recognised 1993 1996
182 GEO 1993 Georgia recognised 1993 1994
183 KAZ 1993 Kazakhstan recognised 1993 1994
184 KGZ 1993 Kyrgyzstan recognised 1993 1994
185 MKD 1993 North Macedonia recognised 1993 1996
186 MDA 1993 Moldova recognised 1993 1994
187 SKN 1993 Saint Kitts and Nevis recognised 1993 1996
188 LCA 1993 Saint Lucia recognised 1993 1996
189 STP 1993 São Tomé & Príncipe recognised 1993 1996
190 TJK 1993 Tajikistan recognised 1993 1996
191 TKM 1993 Turkmenistan recognised 1993 1996
192 UKR 1993 Ukraine recognised 1993 1994
193 UZB 1993 Uzbekistan recognised 1993 1994
1993 sees the recognition of 12 former Soviet republics, of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and of 5 former Yugoslav republics.
Yugoslavia will continue under that name until 2003, when it becomes Serbia and Montenegro
A further seven NOCs make 1993, with 26 new admittances, the most productive in history.
Meanwhile we have lost Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, so the total membership stands now at 193.
This includes 1 country that no longer exists (Netherlands Antilles), but excludes Cambodia.
194 NRU 1994 Nauru recognised 1994 1996
Cambodia is readmitted in 1994, bringing the membership to 195, including 1 country that no longer exists (Netherlands Antilles)
Several countries make their first Olympic appearance in Lillehammer in 1994
195 GBS 1995 Guinea-Bissau recognised 1995 1996
196 PLE 2000 Palestine allowed to participate in 1996
recognized 2000
1996
There are 197 NOCs in 1996, including 1 country that no longer exists (Netherlands Antilles). For the first time, all NOCs send delegations to the Olympic Games.
197 FSM 1997 Micronesia, Fed. St. recognised 1997 2000
198 ERI 1999 Eritrea recognised 1999 2000
199 PLW 1999 Palau recognised 1999 2000
In 2000, the NOC of Afghanistan is suspended. Again, all NOCs (199) are present at Sydney, including IOPs from East Timor
200 KIR 2003 Kiribati recognised 2003 2004
201 TIM 2003 Timor-Leste recognised 2003 2000
In 2003, Afghanistan is readmitted and 202 NOCs are invited, including 1 country that no longer exists (Netherlands Antilles) to the Athina Games.
202 MHL 2006 Marshall Islands recognised 2006 2008
203 MNE 2007 Montenegro recognised 2007 2008
204 TUV 2007 Tuvalu recognised 2007 2008
205 NOCs are invited to Beijing, including 1 country that no longer exists (Netherlands Antilles), but Brunei fail to send a team
204 NOCs are invited to London, Curaçao and South Sudan are allowed Individual Olympic Participants.
205 KOS 2014 Kosovo recognised 2014 2016
206 SSD 2015 South Sudan recognised 2015 2016
206 NOCs are invited to and present at Rio de Janeiro
206 NOCs are invited to Tokyo.
North Korea decline the invitation, because of the COVID-19 pandemic

Countries not (yet) members of the IOC:
Countries that are included in Australia for IOC purposes
207 Christmas Island
208 Cocos Islands
209 NFI Norfolk Island
Country that is included in China for IOC purposes
210 MAC Macao Special Administrative Region
Countries that are included in Denmark for IOC purposes
211 FAR Faroe Islands Self-governing region of the Danish realm
212 GNL Greenland Integral Part of the Danish realm
Country that is included in Finland for IOC purposes
213 Åland Part of Finland
Countries that are included in France for IOC purposes
214 French Guiana French (overseas) Departement
215 GDL Guadeloupe French (overseas) Departement
216 Martinique French (overseas) Departement
217 Reunion French (overseas) Departement
218 Mayotte French (overseas) Departement
219 FPO French Polynesia French Territory
220 St Pierre & Miquelon French Territory
221 Wallis and Futuna French Territory
222 NCL New Caledonia French (overseas) Country
223 Saint-Martin French Territory
224 Saint-Barthélemy French Territory
Countries that are included in Great Britain for IOC purposes:
- ENG England Integral part of "Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
225 SCO Scotland Integral part of "Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
226 WAL Wales Integral part of "Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
227 Northern Ireland Integral part of "Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
228 GUE Guernsey IOC membership through GBR
229 IOM Isle of Man IOC membership through GBR
230 JER Jersey IOC membership through GBR
231 AIA Anguilla Colony of Great Britain
232 Falkland Islands Colony of Great Britain
233 GIB Gibraltar Colony of Great Britain
234 MNT Montserrat Colony of Great Britain
235 Pitcairn Colony of Great Britain
236 Saint Helena Colony of Great Britain
237 TKS Turks and Caicos Is's Colony of Great Britain
Countries that are included in the Netherlands for IOC purposes
238 Curaçao Country of the Netherlands
239 Sint-Maarten Country of the Netherlands
Countries that are included in New Zealand for IOC purposes
240 NIU Niue
241 Tokelau
Country that is included in the USA for IOC purposes
242 NMA Northern Mariana Is's Self-governing Commonwealth in association with USA

As I say on another page, a full list of sporting countries should contain 242 entries.

(°) In 1920, an IOC member is elected for "Central America". When National committees are first listed, El Salvador takes over the number for this "country".

(*) Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia all had NOC's before the war. Between 1946 and 1991/3 these countries did not exist, but they are numbered according to their original admission.


Written 2002-07-13 - last modified 2021-08-09

hermandw@skynet.be / Copyright ©2002-21