(ANSA-AP) - RIO, 7 AGO - Serbia has advised its athletes
competing at the Rio Olympics to withdraw from any medal award
ceremonies if they have to shar e the podium with athletes from
breakaway Kosovo. Serbia has never recognized Kosovo's 2008
declaration of indepe ndence from it. Serbian Sports Minister
Vanja Udovicic says Sunday on the state TV website that the
final decision is up to the athletes thems elves, while the
government has issued only a recommendation. Udovicic concedes
that the issue is "complex." Kosovo was officially recognized by
the International Olympic Committee in 2014. It has sent eight
athletes to Rio, some of wh om competed for Albania at the 2012
London Olympics. Udovicic says Serbia's government didn't want
to undermine its athletes but "we cannot listen to the (Kosovo)
anthem and watch their flag." (ANSA-AP).
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