ACOLOP

ACOLOP (acronym for Associação dos Comités Olímpicos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa; English: Association of the Portuguese Speaking Olympic Committees) is an Olympic-related non-profit organization officially established on 8 June 2004, in Lisbon and has been approved by International Olympic Committee.

It was founded by the national Olympic committees (NOCs) of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Macau (Chinese SAR), Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste; it also includes Equatorial Guinea as an associate member.

The purpose of reinforcing the bonds between these nations and promoting unity and cooperation through sport was the main reason for ACOLOP's creation.

The goals which guide this organisation are:[1] At the 8th general assembly, in Macau (February 2, 2007), the president Manuel Silvério stated the intention of campaigning for the elevation of Portuguese language to official status inside the IOC and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) structures.

[3] From January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009, a new board will be led by Manuel Silvério, as a result of elections carried on October 12, 2006.

Founding (red) and associate (green) members of the ACOLOP.