National Olympic Committee

What is a National Olympic Committee?

A National Olympic Committee (NOC) is a special group that helps athletes from one country get ready for the Olympic Games. Every country has its own NOC. They work with the International Olympic Committee to make sure athletes have the best training and support.

Helping Athletes and Sports

NOCs pick the best athletes to compete in the Olympics. They also help coaches and sports officials learn new skills. Sometimes, they suggest cities to host future Olympic Games.

How Many NOCs Are There?

As of 2023, there are 206 National Olympic Committees. This includes many member states of the United Nations, like Palestine, and some places that are not big countries, like Kosovo and Taiwan. There are also NOCs from special areas like the Cook Islands, which is part of New Zealand.

These committees help make sure that athletes from all over the world can take part in the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games.