IOC instructs international federations to examine India

The International Olympic Committee has asked international sports federations to carefully examine the "complicated" situation in India in the wake of IOA's suspension and take appropriate action to "protect the autonomy of the national federations" in the country.

In a huge embarrassment, the IOC suspended the Indian Olympic Association earlier this month because of government interference and its refusal to follow the Olympic Charter while holding elections.

The IOC's decision has put a bar on the country's Olympic participation.

Terming the situation of the Olympic Movement in India "very complicated" due to a combination of several factors such as government interference, legal actions before the local courts and lack of good governance in some cases, the IOC asked all the international federations to review the situation and take measures accordingly.

"We would recommend each international federations to carefully examine the situation of its national federation in India in the light of the following criteria, in particular: Whether the national federation is affected by government interference in its internal operations (and the potential implications of the "Sports Code" and/or any other government regulations over the national federation)," the IOC wrote in its letter.

"Whether the national federation is in a position to exercise its activities in accordance with its own statutes, the international federations regulations and the basic principles which govern the Olympic Movement," the letter added.

"Whether the national federation complies with the basic requirements of good governance."

The IOC said the international federations are open to take action based on the result of their investigation.

"Depending on the result of the investigation and the assessment made by each IF, (we would recommend) to consider any appropriate action or measure, if necessary, in order, in particular, to protect the autonomy of its national federation in India and/or to ensure that the national federation complies in all aspects with the international federations' requirements," it wrote.