Disagreement Between IOC and IOA Continues

The ongoing disagreement between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appears to intensifying with the IOC criticising the IOA for refusing to accept an observer for its upcoming elections and threatened to take action if poll date is not announced by September 25.

In a strongly worded letter, in response to a September 13 missive by IOA acting president VK Malhotra in which he had termed the world body’s decision to send an observer as “unacceptable”, the IOC said that such a supervision is required because of the “confusion surrounding the status of Suresh Kalmadi”.

The IOC said that it would not be acceptable for the IOA to simply say that it’s elections would be held in strict compliance with the Olympic Charter and its own constitution.

Earlier, the IOC had written two letters, on August 16 and September 11, that stated 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.

Malhotra wrote to IOC chief Jacques Rogge, stating that the international body’s decision to supervise its election was not acceptable. Malhotra asked whether elections of other NOCs were also monitored or whether only India is subject to such scrutiny.{jcomments on}