IOC warns of proposing IOA suspension

The International Olympic Committee made it clear on Wednesday that it will propose suspension of the Indian Olympic Association at its Executive Board Meeting early next month if the upcoming elections are held under the government's Sports Code.

In a letter, written by IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper to IOA acting chief V K Malhotra, the world body rejected the IOA's request to send an international delegation to resolve the issue and threatened to initiate the process of suspending the Indian sports body.

The world body reiterated its directive to the IOA as expressed in its letter on November 23 to present its position to the IOC by November 30 or face suspension.

The IOC in its earlier letter -- that was signed by its chief, Jacques Rogge, and Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al Sabah -- had warned that India would be suspended if the December 5 elections are held under the government's Sports Code and not under the Olympic Charter.

Malhotra, in a reply to the IOC's November 23 letter, had requested the world body to send a delegation to India to resolve the issue.

"... the IOC and OCA will not send delegates to India at this stage. From your letter of 26 November, we came to the conclusion that the IOA and the Government authorities are unable to rectify the situation in order for the IOA elections to be conducted in line with the Olympic Charter and the IOA Constitution, as required by the IOC," the latest IOC letter said.

"In view of the above, it is hereby confirmed that a proposal for suspension of the IOA will be presented to the IOC Executive Board at its next meeting on 4-5 December 2012, based on Rules 27.9 and 59.1.4 of the Olympic Charter.

"As mentioned in the IOC/OCA letter of 23 November, the IOA is invited to provide all necessary explanations and to present its position in writing to the IOC no later than 30 November 2012," it added.