Romela Begaj, an Albanian weightlifter, made history by winning a gold medal at the weightlifting world championship, becoming the first Albanian woman to do so. Despite facing financial hardships and a lack of government support, Begaj's dedication to her sport and country led her to victory. Her success has brought attention to the inadequate sports legislation in Albania, prompting promises from the Minister of Education and Sports, Lindita Nikolla, for better support. The Albanian Weightlifting Federation is advocating for changes in the law to provide financial compensation and recognition for athletes like Begaj. Her achievements have raised hopes for the Albanian team at the upcoming Olympics and have highlighted the potential for success even from a small country with limited resources.

The article discusses the recognition of Kosovo by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the impact this has had on athletes from Kosovo, particularly in the context of the Rio 2016 Olympics. It highlights the story of Ali Pllana, a former shooting champion and president of the Shooting Sport Federation of Kosovo, who was denied the opportunity to compete in the Olympics due to political reasons. The article also covers the struggles of judo coach Driton Kuka and judoka Majlinda Kelmendi, who faced political barriers in their sports careers. Kelmendi, who was forced to represent Albania in the past, is now able to compete for Kosovo, and her success has been instrumental in gaining international recognition for Kosovo's athletes. As the Rio 2016 Olympics approach, there is a sense of pride and responsibility among Kosovo's athletes as they prepare to represent their country on the world stage.