Former Athletes Ask Top Indian Olympic Officials To Step Down To 'Save Indian Sports'

A group of former athletes has "asked top officials from the Indian Olympic Association to quit," a month after the IOC suspended the national body, according to Romit Guha of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. A letter signed by 20 athletes said the group supports the IOC's decision and urges IOA office bearers to step down in order to "save Indian sports." The letter is "addressed to IOA Secretary General Lalit Bhanot." Former heptathlete Reeth Abraham said that the letter "will be sent later Tuesday." Abraham also said that a copy will "also be sent to the IOC." Bhanot declined to comment Tuesday. Another former athlete who signed the letter, Ashwini Nachappa, said that the group "will urge the IOC to take speedy action" against the Indian Olympic body and its "illegal" office bearers. Nachappa said that all IOA office bearers are "illegal as they were elected in polls the IOC didn't recognize." IOC officials could not be immediately reached for comment (WSJ, 1/22).