IOC wants IOA to interpret clause to avoid double interpretation

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has asked the suspended Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to clarify the amendments it had carried out to bar charge sheeted officials from running for office to avoid any "unnecessary speculation or doubtful interpretation".

IOC's Director General Christophe De Kepper in a letter has asked the IOA to properly interpret the amendments and also issued a guideline how do it.

IOC asked the IOA to interpret the amendments it had made during its Dec 8 Special General Body Meeting failing to which the governing body reserved the right to impose necessary sanctions.

The IOC letter read: "The member (charge-sheeted person) concerned must resign immediately (and, if not, will be provisionally suspended) and will not be eligible to run for election. This mechanism must be implemented automatically and will be valid for as long as the charges are framed by the court, as mentioned in this clause."

"The fact that the case will then be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission for further guidance' (i) does not call into question the automatic mechanism mentioned before; and (ii) does not give any authority to the IOA Ethics Commission to recommend to clear or reinstate a member if such member is still faces charges framed by the court, as mentioned in this clause."

De Kepper in his letter said that the IOA Ethics Commission can only recommend further sanctions against the concerned member but in now away cannot reduce, soften or dilute the automatic sanctions, mentioned in this clause for as long as the charges are framed by the court.

The IOC made it clear that if the IOA tries to interpret or implemented the clause differently then it "reserves the right to take the necessary measures and/or sanctions".