Why is Hong Kong a member of the International Olympic Committee, while Macau is not?

Baloo55th

Macau has been a member since 1989 but has never competed in the Games. (Don't ask me why - I've not found that yet!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau_Olympic_Committee http://www.ocasia.org/new180.asp Aug 10 08, 11:18 AM

author

Now Baloo, can you help me out on this? I can't find Macau on the list of IOC country codes. What is the country code then? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IOC_country_codes#M Aug 10 08, 3:32 PM

Baloo55th

MAC. It's known as Macau, China. That IOC List is missing something, I think. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Council_of_Asia http://www.allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/mo.html Aug 10 08, 4:26 PM

Baloo55th

I'm wondering now if my first reference is wrong - I've not been finding confirmation. I've just mailed the NOC of Macau to see if I can get confirmation one way or the other. Watch this space..... Aug 10 08, 4:48 PM

author

I have read somewhere else that the IOC has 205 members, and that 204 of them participate in the Beijing Olympics. Brunei was supposed to do so, but forgot (?) to send their athletes in time. So, the Wiki list has 205 names, and Macau isn't one of them. I look forward to your response after talking to the Macau officials, Baloo. Aug 10 08, 6:24 PM

Baloo55th

It's not mentioned on the IOC site http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/index_uk.asp Not easy to find things there, but I have (irrelevantly) discovered that they list bridge and chess as 'recognised sports'. I suppose sitting very still is a form of activity... And life saving. That at least is an active pursuit - but how do you score it and how is it a sport? Do you get disqualified if your victim drowns? Aug 11 08, 6:27 AM

Baloo55th

No reply from Macau yet. Of course, they might all be off in Beijing... Someone has now altered the Wikipedia Macau Olympic Committee page I first referred to and corrected the status of Macau to being not in the IOC. Aug 14 08, 3:08 PM