India could face ban from Olympics: IOC

Saturday, 15 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

LAUSANNE (Switzerland): The International Olympic Committee’s executive board warned India on Thursday that it could bar the country from the Olympics unless a spat over Indian sports chiefs is resolved.

The board said in a statement after a two-day meeting here that “a number of points still have to be resolved”.

“Consequently if the situation does not evolve positively, the IOC executive board will consider taking appropriate measures and actions which might seriously affect the representation and participation of India at the Olympic Games and international sports events coming up,” it added.

The IOC insisted that India’s government had agreed at a meeting in Lausanne last June to adopt a jointly agreed draft constitution for the Indian Olympic Committee and respect its autonomy.

India clashed with the IOC last year over new rules limiting the tenures of the country’s top sports officials, according to letters seen by AFP in May.

The Olympic body has the power to impose sanctions including suspending the country from its membership -- a move that would prevent it taking part in the 2012 London Olympics.