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Albania Stamps - 1994 Olympic Commitee Michel Block 103

National Olympic Committees (or NOCs) are the national constituents of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, they are responsible for organizing their country's participation in the Olympic Games. They may nominate cities within their respective countries as candidates for future Olympic Games. NOCs also promote the development of athletes and training of coaches and officials at a national level within their countries.

As of 2008, there are 205 NOCs, representing both sovereign nations and other geographical areas. All 192 United Nations member states have National Olympic Committees, as do 13 other territories:

• Republic of China, designated as Chinese Taipei by the IOC
• Palestinian territories, designated as Palestine by the IOC
• Four territories of the United States: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands (designated just Virgin Islands by the IOC)
• Three British overseas territories: Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, and Cayman Islands
• Two constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Aruba and Netherlands Antilles
• Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
• Cook Islands, an associated state of New Zealand

The NOCs are all members of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), which is also split among five continental associations:

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