IOA remains suspended for the time being: IOC chief

IOC President Thomas Bach today said the Indian Olympic Association remains suspended for the time being but Indian athletes are free to compete in Sochi Winter Olympics as individual competitors under the international body's flag.

IOC President Thomas Bach today said the Indian Olympic Association remains suspended for the time being but Indian athletes are free to compete in Sochi Winter Olympics as individual competitors under the international body's flag.

The decision came two days after the Indian body amended its constitution to ban corruption-tainted officials from running for election, as demanded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Had India not complied, it faced becoming the first country to be expelled from the Olympics since South Africa was kicked out more than 40 years ago.

The Indian body was suspended last December after electing secretary-general Lalit Bhanot, who spent 10 months in jail on corruption charges related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Bach said the IOC would lift the suspension once new elections are held.

If the elections, currently scheduled for Feb 9, are moved up to take place before Sochi, the IOC could act quickly to allow India's three qualified athletes to compete under their national flag, he said.