IOC tells sports federations to keep off IOA

The letter, addressed to IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and secretary general Randhir Singh, asked the NSFs not to attend any meeting convened by "these individuals, who do not represent the suspended IOA and are acting in violation of the IOC's decisions and the Olympic Charter".

The IOA was suspended by the IOC Executive Board Dec 4. In spite of this, "illegal elections" were conducted where Lalit Bhanot and Abhay Singh Chautala were elected as the secretary general and president of the IOA, respectively.

"Take all necessary measures against these individuals at national level (including any appropriate legal action) to stop their illegal activities with immediate effect and to protect the interests and assets of the suspended IOA," said Pere Miro, National Olympic Committee relations director.

"The members of the suspended IOA must not associate themselves with these illegitimate individuals or interact with them in any manner whatsoever. In particular, the national federations must not attend any meeting convened by these individuals, who do not represent the suspended IOA.

"In the event that any federation associates itself with these individuals, in violation of the IOC's decisions and the Olympic Charter, the IOC will immediately ask the International Federation concerned to take necessary action," added Miro.

The IOC also proposed to hold a joint meeting at its headquarters in Laussane with Singh, Malhotra and a senior representative of the Government of India as soon as possible to get the IOA back on the road.