India Could Face Olympic Suspension Over IOA Election Process

The IOC made it clear that it will "propose the suspension" of the Indian Olympic Association in its exec board meeting early next month if the upcoming IOA elections are "held under the government's Sports Code," according to the PTI. The development has "put the controversial polls under a cloud." In a letter written by IOC Dir General Christophe de Kepper to IOA acting President V K Malhotra, the world body "rejected IOA's request to send an int'l delegation to resolve the issue and threatened to intiate the process of suspending the Indian sports body." The IOC "reiterated its directive" to the IOA as expressed in its letter on Friday to "present its position" to the IOC by next Friday or face suspension. The IOC also "came down hard" on the IOA and the Sports Ministry for "failing to resolve the issue for more than two years" (PTI, 11/28).