This news, which follows Kosovo's long awaited acceptance as a full International Olympic Committee (IOC) member during the Session in Monte Carlo last month, is another major boost for the Balkan Republic as it seeks to widen its participation in international sport.

It is particularly significant as United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic is from Serbia, the nation from which Kosovo officially declared independence in 2008 following decades of conflict. 

The Serbian Olympic Committee was initially against Kosovo's recognition by the IOC, stating in October that "such an admission would represent an exception without precedent in recent history, since no National Olympic Committee has been admitted to the IOC without its country first being admitted to the United Nations". 

Despite these protests, and the fact that other countries including China, Russia and 2016 Olympic hosts Brazil still do not recognise the Republic, Kosovo's Olympic acceptance was passed unanimously by the IOC membership.

Following that vote, Lolovic told the International Sports Press Association that "Serbia going against such a decision would have been utopian and would not have helped Serbian sport, at least not in Olympian circles".

He then outlined the practical difference between sport and politics, implying that he approved of Kosovo's membership, but only because it gave an opportunity for athletes to compete rather than for any political reasons. 

Since the IOC Executive Board provisionally approved Kosovo in October, bodies including the International Gymnastics Federation have accepted the Republic, while others such as the International Swimming Federation and International Cycling Union have given indications they will soon do so.  

Today's announcement also raised the possibility of Kosovan wrestlers competing at June's European Games in Baku, and then at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games the following year.

United World Wrestling's decision will now be rubber-stamped at the body's General Assembly later this year, with the provisional acceptance continued evidence of the sport's ability to reform and make necessary changes.

This was also shown by a raft of other reforms announced following the Bureau meeting in Lausanne, including the traditional wrestling mat colours of yellow and red, first adopted for the 1972 Games in Munich, being replaced with dark blue and orange.

These colours were chosen as part of a larger effort to improve the online and television viewing experience.

Changes in uniforms will come for both wrestlers and referees as United World Wrestling looks to modernise the sport, and ensure wrestlers and fans feel "proud" to wear wrestling attire

Although not yet finalised, the wrestling outfit will come in a variety of colours and will be adapted to appeal to a younger audience.

Referees, who once wore a suit and tie, will now wear a polo shirt and trousers.

The final uniform designs for all three wrestling styles are in the development phase and will be approved later this year, it was explained.

Today's meeting took place shortly after the organisation's successful launch of its "Super 8" campaign.

The United World Wrestling announcements came a day after the launch of the Super 8 campaign in the presence of IOC President Thomas Bach ©UnitedWorldWrestling






This seeks to raise awareness for women's wrestling and grow female participation at all levels of the sport.

"We are taking the steps to ensure that wrestling is attractive to viewers," said United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic.

"The traditional singlet is not something that is worn around the gym.

"We want apparel that our wrestlers and fans will feel proud to wear and we are going to make that happen."

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