IOC lifts India’s Olympic ban after new officials electedFebruary 11, 2014 - 13:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A ban on India's Olympic Association (IOA) has been lifted, allowing the country to return to the Olympic fold, officials said, according to BBC News. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended India for electing officials accused of corruption in 2012, in breach of the Olympic charter. But on Sunday, Feb 9, the IOA conducted fresh elections which were seen as fair. Indian athletes have been competing at the Sochi Winter Games under the IOC flag but can now do so under their own. This is the first time a suspension of a national Olympic committee has been lifted during an Olympic Games and it comes into effect immediately. "The decision means Indian athletes can compete for their national Olympic committee. They can walk behind their national flag at the closing ceremony," IOC spokesman Mark Adams was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. "The Indian flag will be raised in the [Sochi Winter Games) village, at a time to be announced," Adams added. IOC member Randhir Singh welcomed the decision and said it was "great news for Indian sport". "It's time everyone understands that the Olympic charter is supreme. It is important that sport is run well and tainted officials are kept out in a country of 1.2 billion in which 40% is youth," he told the Associated Press. The IOA elected a new set of officials, led by world squash chief N Ramachandran on Sunday, ending a stand-off with the IOC. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended India in December 2012 for holding elections in defiance of the Olympic charter and appointing officials facing corruption charges related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The IOC also insisted India had to maintain ethics rules and bar officials charged with a criminal offence. Related links: Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. U.S. warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west Georgia has been warned by the U.S. not to become an adversary of the west by falling back in line with Moscow. |