National Olympic Committee

A National Olympic Committee (NOC) is a national constituent of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, NOCs are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic Games. They may nominate cities within their respective areas as candidates for future Olympic Games. NOCs also promote the development of athletes and the training of coaches and officials at a national level within their geographies.

National Olympic Committees

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As of 2023, there are 206 National Olympic Committees.[1] These include each of the 193 member states of the United Nations, one UN observer state (Palestine[2]), two states without UN recognition (Kosovo[3] and Taiwan[note 1][4]) and one associated state of New Zealand (the Cook Islands[5]).

There are also nine dependent territories with recognized NOCs: four territories of the United States (American Samoa,[6] Guam,[7] Puerto Rico,[8] and the United States Virgin Islands[9]), three British Overseas Territories (Bermuda,[10] the British Virgin Islands,[11] and the Cayman Islands[12]), one constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba[13]) and one special administrative region of China (Hong Kong[14]).

Prior to 1996, rules for recognizing dependent territories or constituent countries as separate countries within the IOC were not as strict as those within the United Nations, which allowed these territories to field teams separately from their sovereign state. Following an amendment to the Olympic Charter in 1996, NOC recognition can only be granted after recognition as an independent country by the international community.[15] Since the rule does not apply retroactively, the dependent territories and constituent countries which were recognized before the rule change are allowed to continue sending separate teams to the Olympics,[15] while the Faroe Islands[16] and Macau[17] send their own Paralympic teams.

The only state which thus qualifies to participate in the future is the Vatican City, a UN observer state. Niue, an associated state of New Zealand, could also be eligible as it conducts its own foreign relations and participates independently in UN specialized agencies and treaties,[18] though this is unclear.[19] Currently, all other remaining states are ineligible to join the IOC as they are not recognized by a majority of United Nations member countries.[20] Constituent countries and dependent territories such as Curaçao, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Macau, New Caledonia and French Polynesia can also no longer be recognized, so athletes from these territories can only participate in the Olympics as part of their parent nation's national team. This rule also applies to territories experiencing a change in status – the Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee was dissolved at the 123rd IOC session in July 2011 as the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist in 2010.[21][22]

For those countries and territories that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations, their National Olympic Committees usually also serve as the members of the Commonwealth Games Association, though not for the constituent countries of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), nor for Canada or Australia, who maintain separate organisations for Commonwealth and Olympic sport. For the other Commonwealth members, their NOCs are responsible for organising and overseeing their national teams at the Commonwealth Games.[23][24]

Listed NOCs

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This section lists the current:

  • 206 National Olympic Committees who are recognised by the International Olympic Committee, and so are the members of the Association of National Olympic Committees.[citation needed]
  • 7 National Olympic Committees who are recognised by their continental Olympic associations, but are not recognised by the International Olympic Committee (Italics).[citation needed]

The ANOC members are eligible to enter the Olympic Games. Some National Olympic Committees who are members of a continental Olympic association but not ANOC members compete in continental-level and subregional-level tournaments. These committees, however, are not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games.

The five continental Olympic associations are:[citation needed]

The IOC runs the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games as competitions in which all IOC-recognized NOCs can participate. Each continent also runs its own championships for their members:[citation needed]

While not continental unions in themselves, the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees (UANOC) and International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM) organize multi-sport events between Arabic-speaking countries and Mediterranean countries respectively.[citation needed] All 22 National Olympic Committees that form the UANOC and the 26 from CIJM are also members of either the ANOCA, EOC or OCA and are eligible to send their athletes to either the African, European or Asian Games. National Olympic Committees from the UANOC and CIJM are noted in the list below.[citation needed]

Africa (ANOCA)

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1: National Olympic Committee is a member of the UANOC.
2: National Olympic Committee is a member of the CIJM.
3: National Olympic Committee is also National Commonwealth Games Association

Americas (Panam Sports)

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1: National Olympic committee also a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation

Asia (OCA)

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1: National Olympic Committee is a member of the UANOC.
2: National Olympic Committee is a member of the OCA but not an ANOC member.
3: Official name used by the IOC, ANOC and OCA for the   Republic of China (Taiwan).
4: National Olympic Committee is a member of the CIJM.
5: National Olympic committee also the national Commonwealth Games Association.

Europe (EOC)

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1: Israel was a member of the OCA, but was expelled from the organization between 1952 and 1981. Joined the EOC in 1994.
2: National Olympic Committee is a member of the CIJM.
3: National Olympic committee also the national Commonwealth Games Association.
4: National Olympic Committee is suspended by the IOC.[30]

Oceania (ONOC)

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1: National Olympic Committee is an associate member of the ONOC but not an ANOC member.

Notes

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Divisions

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

Continent Association NOCs Oldest NOC Newest NOC
 
  Africa
Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa 54   Egypt (1910)   South Sudan (2015)
Pan American Sports Organization 41   United States (1894)   Dominica (1993)
  Saint Kitts and Nevis (1993)
  Saint Lucia (1993)
  Asia
Olympic Council of Asia 44[31]   Japan (1912)   Timor-Leste (2003)
  Europe
European Olympic Committees 50   France (1894)   Kosovo (2014)
Oceania National Olympic Committees 17   Australia (1895)   Tuvalu (2007)

See the article for each continental association for the complete lists of all NOCs.

Unrecognized National Olympic Committees

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The Faroe Islands and Macau both have recognized National Paralympic Committees and compete at the Paralympic Games. However, neither territory's National Olympic Committee is recognized by the IOC, so they cannot participate in the Olympics.[32] Macau remains recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia and takes part in the Asian Games.

Other existing countries/regions with unrecognized Olympic committees: Catalonia,[33] Gibraltar,[34] French Polynesia, Niue,[35] New Caledonia,[36] Curaçao,[37][38][39] Guadeloupe,[37][39] French Guiana,[37][39] Martinique,[37][39] Sint Maarten,[37] the Northern Mariana Islands, Anguilla,[39] Montserrat,[39] Turks & Caicos Islands,[39][37] Transnistria, Kurdistan,[40][41] Northern Cyprus,[42] Somaliland,[43] Abkhazia,[44] and Native Americans.[45][46]

It was reported in 2014 that South Ossetia intend to establish a National Olympic Committee.[47]

Olympic Sport

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Name of organization Sport Non-IOC member is member in world level Non-IOC member is only member in continental level Case of Great Britain
FIFA Association football  Anguilla,  Montserrat,   Turks and Caicos Islands,   Curaçao,   Macau, China,   Faroe Islands,   Gibraltar,   Tahiti,   New Caledonia   Northern Mariana Islands,   Sint Maarten,   Saint-Martin,   Guadeloupe,   Martinique,   French Guiana,   Bonaire,   Reunion (club competitions only),   Zanzibar (club and CECAFA competitions only)[48][49][50])   England,   Scotland,   Wales,   Northern Ireland
World Aquatics Swimming   Anguilla,   Curaçao,   Sint Maarten,   Macau, China,   Faroe Islands,   Gibraltar,   Northern Mariana Islands As Great Britain
World Athletics Athletics   Tahiti,   Norfolk Island,   Gibraltar,   Macau, China,   Anguilla,   Montserrat,   Turks and Caicos Islands,   New Caledonia,   Wallis and Futuna,   Niue,   Martinique,   Guadeloupe,   French Guiana,   Sint Maarten,   Curaçao As Great Britain
World Archery Federation Archery   Tahiti,   Norfolk Island,   Falkland Islands,   Macau, China,   Faroe Islands As Great Britain
Badminton World Federation Badminton   Curaçao,   Tahiti,   Gibraltar,   Greenland,   Falkland Islands,   Macau, China,   Faroe Islands,   Saint Helena,   Norfolk Island,   Isle of Man,   Reunion,   French Guiana,   Guadeloupe,   Martinique,   New Caledonia,   Martinique,   Northern Mariana Islands,   Wallis and Futuna   England,   Scotland,   Wales
FIBA Basketball   Montserrat,   Turks and Caicos Islands,   Tahiti,   Norfolk Island,   Macau, China,   Gibraltar As Great Britain
International Boxing Association (amateur) Amateur boxing   Anguilla,   Tahiti,   Sint Maarten,   Curaçao,   Macau, China,   Gibraltar   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Canoe Federation Canoeing   Sint Maarten,   Tahiti,   Macau, China As Great Britain
International Cycling Union Cycling   Sint Maarten,   Curaçao,   Macau, China

  Vatican

As Great Britain
World DanceSport Federation DanceSport   Macau, China   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Federation for Equestrian Sports Equestrian   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Federation of Sport Climbing Sport Climbing   Macau, China   New Caledonia As Great Britain
International Fencing Federation Fencing   Macau, China As Great Britain
International Golf Federation Golf   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Gymnastics Federation Gymnastics   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Handball Federation Handball   Faroe Islands,   Greenland,   French Guiana,  Tahiti,   New Caledonia,   Northern Mariana Islands,   Guadeloupe,   Martinique,   Macau, China As Great Britain, but   England and   Scotland are association members
International Hockey Federation Field hockey   Macau, China,   Gibraltar   England,   Scotland,   Wales; but Great Britain is adherent member
International Judo Federation Judo   Macau, China,   Niue,   Norfolk Island,   New Caledonia,   Tahiti,   Martinique,   Guadeloupe,   Reunion,   Faroe Islands,   Curaçao As Great Britain
International Modern Pentathlon Union Modern pentathlon As Great Britain
World Rowing Federation Rowing   Gibraltar As Great Britain
World Rugby Rugby union   Niue   New Caledonia,   Tahiti,   Wallis and Futuna,   Macau, China,   Martinique,   Guadeloupe,   French Guiana,   Curaçao,   Reunion,   Mayotte   England,   Scotland,   Wales
World Sailing Sailing   Tahiti,   Netherlands Antilles As Great Britain
International Shooting Sport Federation Shooting sports   Faroe Islands,   Macau, China As Great Britain
International Surfing Association Surfing   Hawaii,   Tahiti,   Channel Islands   England,   Scotland,   Wales
ITTF Table tennis   Jersey,   Guernsey,   Gibraltar,   Greenland,  Faroe Islands,   Macau, China,   Tahiti,   Falkland Islands,   Sint Maarten,   Northern Mariana Islands,   New Caledonia,   Niue,   Tokelau,   Wallis and Futuna   England,   Scotland,   Wales
World Taekwondo Taekwondo   Isle of Man,   Macau, China,   New Caledonia,   Tahiti,   Martinique,   Guadeloupe,

  Vatican

As Great Britain
ITF Tennis   Tahiti,   Curaçao,   Macau, China,   Anguilla,  Bonaire,   Norfolk Islands,   Northern Mariana Islands   Sint Maarten,   Martinique,   Guadeloupe,   French Guiana As Great Britain
World Triathlon Triathlon   Gibraltar,   Macau, China,   New Caledonia,   Tahiti,   Northern Mariana Islands As Great Britain
Fédération Internationale de Volleyball Volleyball   Macau, China,   Gibraltar,   Greenland,   Faroe Islands,   Tahiti,   Northern Mariana Islands,   Martinique,   Guadeloupe,   French Guiana,   Bonaire,   Saba,   Sint Eustatius,   Sint Maarten,   Saint-Martin,   Curaçao   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Weightlifting Federation Olympic weightlifting   Zanzibar,   Niue,   New Caledonia,   Tahiti,   Wallis and Futuna,   Northern Mariana Islands,   Turks and Caicos Islands,   Curaçao   Great Britain,   Northern Ireland,   Scotland,   Wales
United World Wrestling Amateur wrestling   Tokelau,   Niue,   Tahiti,   Northern Mariana Islands,   Turks and Caicos Islands,   Curaçao As Great Britain
International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Bobsleigh and Skeleton As Great Britain
International Biathlon Union Biathlon   Greenland As Great Britain

Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations

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Name of organization Sport Non-IOC member is member in world level Non-IOC member is only member in continental level Case of Great Britain
World Pool-Billiard Association Pool (cue sports)   North Cyprus,   Bonaire,   Curaçao,   Tahiti,   Macau, China As Great Britain
International Billiards and Snooker Federation Snooker and English billiards (amateur)   Isle of Man None
Union Mondiale de Billard Carom billiards   North Cyprus,   Isle of Man,   Curaçao None
Tug of War International Federation Tug of War   Channel Islands,   Basque Country,   Macau, China   England,   Scotland,   Wales,   Northern Ireland
International Wushu Federation Wushu   New Caledonia,   Macau, China As Great Britain
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques Underwater sport   Tahiti,   Northern Mariana Islands As Great Britain
World Squash Federation Squash   Guernsey,   Jersey,   Isle of Man,   Gibraltar,   Macau, China,   New Caledonia,   Tahiti,   Norfolk Island   England,   Scotland,   Wales
Union Internationale Motonautique Powerboating   Macau, China As Great Britain
Federation of International Polo Polo   England
International Orienteering Federation Orienteering   Macau, China As Great Britain
International Life Saving Federation Lifesaving   Macau, China,   Faroe Islands As Great Britain
World Skate Roller sports   Macau, China As Great Britain
International Federation of Muaythai Associations Muay Thai   Macau, China,   Tahiti As Great Britain
World Lacrosse Lacrosse   Catalonia,   Curaçao,   Haudenosaunee,   Macau, China,   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Floorball Federation Floorball   Macau, China As Great Britain
World Flying Disc Federation Flying Disc   Macau, China As Great Britain
International Bowling Federation Bowling   Catalonia,   Macau, China,   Jersey,   Gibraltar,   Northern Mariana Islands,   Curaçao   Great Britain,   Scotland,   Wales,   Northern Ireland
World Karate Federation Karate   Macau, China,   Martinique,   New Caledonia,   Tahiti,   Wallis and Futuna,   Curaçao Great Britain is full member, but Home Nations participate separately as   England,   Scotland,   Wales,   Northern Ireland
World Bridge Federation Contract bridge   Faroe Islands,   Macau, China,   Reunion,   Martinique,   Guadeloupe   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Federation Icestocksport ice stock sport As Great Britain
International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (3-Event Waterskiing), Wakeboard, Barefoot, Show Skiing, Cable Wakeboard, Cableski, Ski Racing, and Disabled Skiing As Great Britain
World Association of Kickboxing Organizations Kickboxing   Macau, China As Great Britain
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Motorcycle racing   Macau, China As Great Britain
FIDE Chess   Faroe Islands,   Macau, China,   Netherlands Antilles,   Guernsey,   Jersey,   Isle of Man   England,   Scotland,   Wales
International Racquetball Federation Racquetball   Catalonia,   Saipan   England
Fédération Internationale de Sambo Sambo As Great Britain
International Ski Mountaineering Federation Ski Mountaineering As Great Britain
International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation Climbing and Mountaineering As Great Britain
International Sumo Federation Sumo As Great Britain
International Cricket Council Cricket   West Indies,   Ireland,   Isle of Man,   Jersey,   Guernsey,   Gibraltar,   Saint Helena,  Faroe Islands,   Turks and Caicos Islands,   Falkland Islands   Nevis,   Anguilla,   Montserrat,   Sint Maarten   England,   Scotland

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Designated as Chinese Taipei by the IOC.

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "National Olympic Committees". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Palestine". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Kosovo". International Olympic Committee.
  4. ^ "Chinese Taipei". International Olympic Committee.
  5. ^ "Cook Islands". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  6. ^ "American Samoa". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Guam". Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Puerto Rico". International Olympic Committee.
  9. ^ "Virgin Islands, US". International Olympic Committee.
  10. ^ "Bermuda". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Virgin Islands, British". International Olympic Committee.
  12. ^ "Cayman Islands". International Olympic Committee.
  13. ^ "Aruba". International Olympic Committee.
  14. ^ "Hong Kong, China". International Olympic Committee.
  15. ^ a b "Overseas Territories (3rd February 2012)". Publications.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  16. ^ "Faroe Islands". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  17. ^ "Macao, China". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Status of Treaties – Niue". United Nations Treaty Collection. 2 December 1975. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Niue". insidethegames.biz. 30 October 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  20. ^ "127th IOC Session comes to close in Monaco". International Olympic Committee. 9 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2016. The NOC of Kosovo met the requirements for recognition as outlined in the Olympic Charter. These include the sport and technical requirements as well as the definition of "country" as defined in Rule 30.1 – "an independent State recognised by the international community". Kosovo is recognised as a country by 108 of the 193 UN Member States.
  21. ^ "Executive Board concludes first meeting of the new year". olympic.org ("Official website of the Olympic movement"). 13 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  22. ^ "Curtain comes down on 123rd IOC Session". Olympic.org. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  23. ^ "Belize - National Olympic Committee (NOC)". 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  24. ^ "Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association: ANOC". Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  25. ^ https://olympics.com/ioc/people-s-republic-of-china Archived 29 July 2024 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
  26. ^ https://olympics.com/ioc/hong-kong-china Archived 6 December 2022 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
  27. ^ https://olympics.com/ioc/chinese-taipei Archived 7 December 2022 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
  28. ^ Czechia Olympics.com
  29. ^ Türkiye Olympics.com
  30. ^ "IOC Executive Board suspends Russian Olympic Committee with immediate effect". Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  31. ^ The OCA includes 45 NOCs; the Macau Sports and Olympic Committee is not recognized by the IOC and Macau does not compete at the Olympic Games.
  32. ^ "For the Faroe Islands, Paralympics offer rare chance to wave the flag on global stage". The Japan Times. 25 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  33. ^ Hargreaves, John (2000). Freedom for Catalonia? : Catalan nationalism, Spanish identity and the Barcelona Olympic Games ([Online-Ausg.]. ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521586153.
  34. ^ "andalucia.com". andalucia.com. Archived from the original on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  35. ^ "Full Page – Niue Island Sports Association and National Olympic Committee – FOX SPORTS PULSE". Sportingpulse.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  36. ^ "New Caledonia National Olympic Committee". SportingPulse. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  37. ^ a b c d e f "Centro Caribe Sports Members". Centro Caribe Sports. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  38. ^ "ODESUR CON's". ODESUR. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g "CANOC Members". canoc.net. Retrieved 26 October 2023.[permanent dead link]
  40. ^ "Display Article". Kurdishglobe.net. 16 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  41. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)[dead link]
  42. ^ "Turkish Cypriots denied access to London Olympics 2012". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  43. ^ "Website ka wasaaradda Dhalinyaradda Iyo Ciyaaraha Somaliland - Homepage". Somalilandolympics.org. 18 January 2010. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  44. ^ Smoltczyk, Alexander (27 August 2009). "The ABC Republic: Abkhazia Attempts to Invent Itself". Der Spiegel. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  45. ^ "Native Americans seek recognition". Nativevoices.org. 27 February 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  46. ^ "Jim Thorpe's Sons Bolster Native American Olympic Dream : Fri, 10 Jul 2009 : eNewsChannels". Enewschannels.com. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  47. ^ "В Южной Осетии продолжат работу над созданием национального олимпийского комитета - Политика, выборы, власть - Новости - ИА REGNUM". Regnum.ru. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  48. ^ "Zanzibar loses membership in Caf U-turn". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  49. ^ "Senior Challenge Cup - CECAFA FOOTBALL". 13 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  50. ^ "Ethiopia score five against Zanzibar in CECAFA Senior Women's Championship".

Sources

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