Goergia to make final decision on Sochi 2014 partaking today

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Georgia will take a final decision on Thursday on the participation of Georgian athletes in the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.

"The deadline for a decision is May 5, but we will gather today at the extraordinary session of the NOC and vote on the question of participation in the Olympics. If approved, a delegation of 59 people will take part in the Olympic Games," the NOC President Leri Khabelov said.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has previously mentioned the possibility of boycotting the Sochi Olympics.

Large scale military actions were launched in South Ossetia in Georgia on August 8 2008. Later Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia late in August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has announced the two unrecognized republics to be occupied territories.

The NOC will also consider the participation of the Georgian team in the Youth Olympic Festival in the Dutch city of Utrecht in July. Georgia's capital will in turn host the 2015 Festival.


/Trend/