IOC's ban 'darkest day' in India's Olympic history: Tytler

"On the darkest day of Olympic history of India, I want to convey my message to all able sports administrators of India being part of IOA for such a long time. The same people, whom I have witnessed, giving their heart out for sports and sportspersons, suddenly changed their attitude," Tytler said in a letter.

"Despite repeated warnings from the IOC not to hold the elections without being in conformity with IOA constitution and Olympic Charter, we challenged the IOC's authority without even thinking about the repercussions and the future of our very own sportspersons.

"When a few people including me had withdrawn from the elections and clarified our stand that we don't want to be part of the most shameful chapter of Olympic history, it should have been taken as an eye opener but still nobody even cared. You had your elections by defying the IOC's suggestions and warnings, compelled them to go against us. The adamancy shown is shocking which cannot be explained," he added.

Disregarding the ban imposed by the International Olympic Committee, a defiant IOA yesterday went ahead with its AGM and elections, insisting that it has not violated any guidelines.

The IOA, showing utter disregard to the IOC's stand that the election would be treated "null and void", announced its elected members after having declared last week that Abhay Singh Chautala had been elected unopposed as president and Lalit Bhanot as secretary general.

Tytler, who was a part of the rival Randhir Singh's camp and had decided against competing in the elections, said the whole controversy has projected the country's sports officials as "anti-sports administrators" in the eyes of athletes. (More)