JOIN USIndian athletes stare at Olympic ban
India’s athletes would not be able to take part in the Olympic Games in any capacity as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not qualified the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) suspension with a proviso to help the athletes compete in IOC events.
Moreover, the IOC has also threatened to take further action against the IOA by stating that its Executive Board reserved the right to take measures with regard to the athletes' participation in "Olympic-related events" which could mean Olympic qualification events as well.
"The IOC Executive Board reserves the right to take further measure and to take action with regard to the participation of Indian athletes in international Olympic-related events," IOC President Jacques Rogge wrote in a letter addressed to V K Malhotra and Randhir Singh.
In its official communication over the suspension, the world body also made it clear that IOA cannot hold elections without its “express prior approval”.
With the suspension, India will no longer be entitled to “exercise any activity or right conferred upon it by the Olympic Charter or the IOC.”
“In particular, the IOC will withhold any financial assistance to the Indian Olympic Association.
“The IOC Executive Board states that the Indian Olympic Association is not entitled to hold any elections without express prior approval of the IOC,” Rogge wrote.
The IOC said it suspended India after it failed to “observe its statutes and Olympic Charter and to enforce the basic principles of ethics and good governance.”
Outside interference
“The IOA is faced with outside interference in applying its election rules, which threatens the IOA’s autonomy and the holding of free and fair elections in conformity with the IOA statutes and the Olympic Charter,” it said. The IOC was also of the view that its position was not taken seriously by the IOA and the Indian government.
“The IOC Executive Board also noted that the IOC, in close coordination with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), has made every possible effort for more than two years to assist in the amicable resolution of these issues.
However, the IOC’s position has not been taken into consideration seriously and responsibly by the IOA and the relevant government authorities in India.” The world body made it clear that India will continue to be suspended until the Indian Olympic Association satisfies the conditions in the Olympic Charter and the IOC’s requirements, “...in particular: (i) to guarantee its full autonomy; (ii) to ensure free and fair elections in conformity with its own statutes and the Olympic Charter; and (iii) to implement all basic principles of ethics and good governance in its daily management.”