Ace shooter Abhinav Bindra on Saturday applauded International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to not change its stance on barring chargesheeted persons from contesting Indian Olympic Association (IOA) elections, saying it was heartening to see the world body keen on cleaning up sports in the country.
“As an athlete, I am extremely pleased that the International Olympic Committee is willing to clean up Indian sports,” he said.
“I think it is one aspect, which all athletes would like to have officials who have best interest of Indian sports and athletes foremost in their minds,” Bindra added.
The IOC had sent the revised draft Constitution of the IOA, which envisaged barring of corruption-tainted persons from contesting the elections.
IOA had objected to this provision saying that Indian law would prevail on these matters.
However, IOC stuck to its stand. It also issued a veiled threat of possible action to the IOA, reminding it that it has been under suspension and so should act responsibly to meet the conditions requested by the world body.
Though IOC has never questioned the principle that till one is convicted one is innocent, IOC Director-General Christophe De Kepper in a letter to IOA said: “The IOC Code of Ethics clearly states that the Olympic parties (which include the NOCs) must undertake to respect and ensure the respect of the IOC Code of Ethics, which says in particular that they must not act in a manner likely to tarnish the reputation of the Olympic Movement.
“The IOA (still suspended) must therefore act responsibly and must adopt a clear wording in its revised Constitution.”
