Olympics: Bhutan Olympic Committee’s President His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck is attending the 20th General Assembly of the Association of the National Olympic Committees (ANOCs) in Washington DC, US.

On October 29, the President of ANOC and the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah formally welcomed two new NOCs into ANOC, the NOCs of Kosovo and South Sudan, taking the total number to 206.

The Vice President of the United States of America, Joe Biden praised the role of sport in its ability to unite the world, to recognize raw talent and provide a unifying element, irrespective of all other circumstances.

“I came here to say thank you to all of you for the dedication you have shown to sport,” said Joe Biden, who was given a standing ovation as he entered the arena, to be greeted by Sheikh Ahmad and IOC President Thomas Bach.

A total of 205 NOCs with 1,200 delegates took part in the General Assembly. The next General Assembly of the ANOC will be held in Doha, Qatar in October 2016. The first ANOC meeting was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1979 with 118 countries participating.

ANOC is the body entrusted with the responsibility of strengthening the relationship between the NOC’s and the Olympic Family for the benefit of the entire Olympic Movement. ANOC assists the NOCs and the International Sports Federations by facilitating and providing a platform to forge a more productive and collaborative working relationship between the NOCs.

Younten Tshedup