Kosovan president held a reception for athletes going to nation's first Olympics on Friday (29th July).

Kosovo has been an independent state since 2008, yet this will be their first appearance at an Olympics.

Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci awarded the outgoing athletes with the Merit Medal in a ceremony in Pristina as they said goodbye before jetting off to the Rio Olympics.

Besim Hasani, head of the Kosovo Olympic Committee said he expects medal returns from the athletes:

"Three billion people will see all Albanians through their performance, through their results. We are participating with eight athletes and it makes us immediately among the first 50 percent of success. So, we have two with Olympic norms which is a huge achievement and we really expect medals from those Olympic Games."

Kosovo is sending eight athletes to its first Olympics - two swimmers, two in judo, two in athletics, one shooter and a cyclist.

World judoka champion Majlinda Kelmendi was handed the national flag.

Kosovo gained membership of the IOC in December 2014.