The Olympic Games are a global sporting event that brings together athletes from countries around the world, but not all regions and territories are represented under their own banners. When we talk about "states" in the context of the Olympics, we're referring to various sovereign nations and territories, and not just the U.S. states. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has strict guidelines for what constitutes an eligible country, and not all political entities or territories qualify. This results in certain regions not being represented in the Olympic Games. Here’s a breakdown of which states or territories are not represented and why.

1. Non-Sovereign Territories

The IOC typically only recognizes sovereign states or territories that have some degree of autonomy and are members of international bodies like the United Nations. Therefore, many dependent territories do not have their own Olympic teams. Examples include:

• Puerto Rico: Though Puerto Rico is not a fully independent country and remains a territory of the United States, it is an exception and has its own Olympic team. Other U.S. territories like Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands also participate independently.
• Greenland: An autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland is not recognized by the IOC as a separate Olympic entity, despite having its own national sports organizations.
• New Caledonia: A French territory in the Pacific, New Caledonia does not participate under its own flag. Athletes from New Caledonia compete under the French flag.

2. Disputed or Partially Recognized States

Several regions around the world have declared independence or are partially recognized by some countries, but they are not acknowledged by the IOC. These regions often have significant populations but are unable to compete independently in the Olympic Games. Some examples include:

• Taiwan: Taiwan competes in the Olympics under the name "Chinese Taipei" due to political pressure from China. While Taiwan is not completely unrepresented, it cannot participate under its own name or flag.
• Kosovo: For a long time, Kosovo was not allowed to participate in the Olympics because of its disputed status, but it gained recognition by the IOC in 2014.
• Palestine: The Palestinian territories, despite their complex political situation, do have Olympic representation under the name "Palestine," though their participation is often a subject of political debate.

3. Nations Without Olympic Committees

Not all countries have established National Olympic Committees (NOCs), which are necessary to be part of the Olympic Games. Countries like:

• Vatican City: Despite its global significance as a religious center, Vatican City does not participate in the Olympics, as it lacks a National Olympic Committee and its citizens generally do not engage in competitive sports on the international level.
• Niue: A small island nation in the Pacific, Niue is a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. It has not formed an NOC and is not represented in the Olympics.

4. Nations with Political or Economic Barriers

Some countries or territories may not be represented in the Olympics due to political or economic instability, preventing them from forming an Olympic Committee or from sending athletes to the Games. For example:

• Somaliland: Although Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it is not internationally recognized, and therefore it is not represented in the Olympics.
• Western Sahara: A disputed territory claimed by Morocco, Western Sahara is not represented in the Olympic Games. Athletes from this region might compete under other flags.

5. Unrecognized Microstates

Certain microstates or very small nations do not participate in the Olympics due to their size or lack of organized sports programs. These include:

• Sealand: Sealand, a self-declared micronation off the coast of the UK, is not recognized by any international body, including the IOC.
• Hutt River: Another self-proclaimed micronation in Australia, Hutt River has no Olympic participation due to its lack of formal recognition.

Conclusion

While the Olympic Games strive to be a truly global event, there are several states, territories, and regions that are not represented. Some are excluded due to lack of sovereignty, political recognition, or the absence of a National Olympic Committee, while others are subject to complex political negotiations. However, the IOC has made efforts in recent decades to be more inclusive, with some previously unrecognized regions gaining representation. Still, the list of unrepresented states in the Olympics highlights the intersection between sport, politics, and international recognition.