Jan. 13: The International Olympic Committee’s executive board warned India on Thursday that it could bar the country from the Olympics unless a spat over Indian sports chiefs is resolved. The board said in a statement after a two-day meeting here that “a number of points still have to be resolved”.
“Consquently if the situation does not evolve positively, the IOC executive board will consider taking appropriate measures and actions which might seriously affect the representation and participation of India at the Olympic Games and international sports events coming up,” it added.
The IOC insisted that India’s government had agreed at a meeting in Lausanne last June to adopt a jointly agreed draft constitution for the Indian Olympic Committee and respect its autonomy. India clashed with the IOC last year over new rules limiting the tenures of the country’s top sports officials, according to letters seen by AFP in May.
The Olympic body has the power to impose sanctions including suspending the country from its membership — a move that would prevent it taking part in the 2012 London Olympics. The IOC also suspended Ghana’s national Olympic committee for government interference, leaving the African country’s athletes in danger of missing the 2012 London Games.
The International Olympic Committee executive board took the decision after months of fruitless negotiations with Ghanaian officials, IOC President Jacques Rogge said. The suspension means Ghana’s Olympic committee will no longer receive IOC funding, its officials are banned from attending any Olympic events and Ghana’s athletes are barred from competing in the Olympics.
The sanctions could be lifted before the London Games if Ghana complies with IOC regulations and assures the complete independence of the national body, which has been in turmoil since a disputed presidential election in 2009.
The IOC has complained in particular that government officials in Ghana are appointing the presidents of national sports federations.
Ghana’s Olympic committee was formed in 1952 and recognized by the IOC the same year. The IOC also dealt with the situation caused by the recent breakup of the Netherlands Antilles, which was colonized by the Dutch in the 17th century. The IOC approved a transition period that will allow athletes from the area to compete at the London Games. —