However, NMI which has been aiming to become a part of the International Olympic
Committee remains essentially in an observer status, White said during NMASA’s regular meeting last month.
NMASA is set to meet again today at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym conference room.
ONOC associate membership can pave the way for NMI to achieve its goal of becoming a member of the IOC.
Although IOC President Jacques Rogge indicated during a meeting with White recently that NMI would not get in as member until it become an independent country, the U.S. Olympic Committee can do something to help.
White said Rogge told him to ask USOC for assistance, and promised he will write to USOC to urge them to assist NMI.
White reported his attendance at the ONOC meeting in Queenstown, New Zealand where Guam’s Rick Blas was elected secretary general.
NMI became an associate member of ONOC after its application was granted during the committee’s meeting in Fiji in March last year.
Although being an associate member does not entitle NMI to direct grants, the status allows the islands to participate in ONOC-sponsored programs.
