The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has asked its Indian member, Randhir Singh, to ensure that “illegitimate individuals” don’t function as office-bearers of the suspended Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
The development in the IOA-IOC stand-off comes in the wake of revelations that newly-elected IOA secretary general Lalit Bhanot was officially communicating with the national sports federations.
“The IOC is extremely concerned by the ongoing situation of the suspended Indian Olympic Association and the misappropriation of responsibilities and properties by a number of illegitimate individuals claiming to represent the suspended Indian Olympic Association whereas the IOC has already made it clear that the so-called ‘elections’ were null and void and are not recognised by the IOC,” IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper wrote in a letter to Randhir Singh Wednesday.
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Kepper said the latest actions by the administrators of the suspended body aggravated the controversial matter.
“All individuals involved (directly or by complicity) will be held responsible and the IOC will reserve the right to take any action against them.”
The letter added: “In your capacity as an IOC member, we request that you (Randhir) take all necessary measures and, if appropriate, any legal action at the national level against these individuals in order to protect all assets and properties of the suspended Indian Olympic Association.”
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It was reported that Bhanot had begun correspondence with the sports federations on the preparations for major sporting events in the near future.