12 Former Soviet Republics to Have Unified Team Again

The International Olympic Committee won agreement Monday for the former Soviet republics to compete together in the Olympics for the last time.

Despite requests from Ukraine and Georgia to compete independently, the IOC persuaded all 12 former republics to field a unified team during the Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain.

The IOC granted provisional recognition to each of the national Olympic committees of the 12 republics on the condition that they take part in a joint team.

“I think all wanted to go independently, but they agreed with us that for the last time they have to take part as a united team,” said Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC president. “This agreement means the athletes will not be punished. The most important thing was to stick to the principle that the best athletes from all the 12 republics should participate in Barcelona.”

Samaranch said that as of Jan. 1, 1993, the republics will be free to compete as independent countries.

Ukraine and Georgia accepted the terms reluctantly.

“We are happy that we are recognized and that the process is over,” said Valery Borzov, the 1972 Olympic sprint champion who heads the Ukrainian sports committee. “We are not 100% happy with the results, but I think it is a good compromise.”

Georgia is the only one of the 12 former republics which is not a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, formed after the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Georgian delegates were also the only ones to formally demand a separate team Monday.