The IOC And IOA Are On A Collision Course Regarding Election Supervision

The Indian Olympic Association is objecting to the IOC's "dictate" that it should "hold its election due next month under the supervision of the world body," according to the PTI. The IOC had written two letters stating that "the election process of the IOA would have to be held in strict compliance with the Olympic Charter and under the supervision of the IOC and Olympic Council of Asia." Miffed at the IOC's "dictate," IOA acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra shot off a letter to the IOC President Jacques Rogge, stating that the int'l body's decision to supervise its election "was not acceptable." Malhotra asked whether elections of other NOCs were also monitored or "was it in case of India only." Malhotra said, "In its 76-year long history, IOA has been holding elections regularly and these were never monitored by the IOC. IOA represents the world's largest democracy and second most populous nation in the world. We understand our responsibilities" (PTI, 9/13).