In October 2014 , the International Olympic Committee provisionally recognised the Olympic Committee of Kosovo and gave it full membership on 9 December 2014 . Kosovo participated at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , the country 's first appearance at an Olympic event . Kelmendi was Kosovo 's flag bearer during the Parade of Nations of the opening ceremony in Rio . Her gold medal in those games was Kosovo ’s first ever Olympic medal . She is also a citizen of Albania and has an Albanian passport
opening ceremony in Rio
2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Majlinda Kelmendi