India out of Olympics as IOC suspends Indian Olympic Committee

www.mangaloretoday.com

Laussane, December 04, 2012: Two officials with knowledge of the decision say the IOC has suspended India’s national Olympic body because of government interference, Associated Press reported.

The decision comes just a day before IOA’s elections to be held on Wednesday.

According to Associated Press, the IOC executive board imposed the sanctions today after the Indian Olympic Association failed to comply with the world body’s directive to hold its elections scheduled tomorrow under the Olympic Charter.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement hadn’t been made yet, the AP news agency said.

The IOC had repeatedly told the Indian body to adhere to its own constitution and the Olympic Charter and not follow the government’s sports code for the elections.

Suspension means the IOA will stop receiving IOC funding and its officials will be banned from attending Olympic meetings and events.

India’s athletes will be barred from competing in Olympic events under their national flag.