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Olympic Committee suspends India from hosting events

22 February 2019 11:03 am - 7     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended all Indian applications to host future events and urged international sports federations not to stage competitions in the country after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi, Reuters said.

The denial of entry visas for two shooters due to take part in a World Cup event in New Delhi this weekend followed last week’s attack by a Pakistan-based militant group in the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed at least 40 paramilitary police.

India has accused its neighbour of not doing enough to control the militant groups responsible for the Kashmir attacks. Pakistan has denied any involvement.

The IOC said the refusal of visas for competitors went against the principles of the Olympic charter relating to discrimination and political interference from the host country.

“Since becoming aware of the issue, and in spite of intense last-minute ... efforts ... and discussions with the Indian government authorities, no solution has been found to allow the Pakistani delegation to enter India in time to compete,” the IOC statement said.

“As a result, the IOC Executive Board also decided to suspend all discussions with the Indian NOC and government regarding the potential applications for hosting future sports and Olympic-related events in India,” it said.

The body also urged all international sports federations not to hold events in India, or grant hosting rights to the country for future competitions, until the government had provided “clear written guarantees” to ensure access for all athletes.

The Indian Olympic Association last year laid out an ambitious roadmap to host the Youth Olympics in 2026, the Asian Games in 2030 and the Summer Olympics for the first time in 2032.

The shooters were scheduled to take part in the 25m pistol event and the IOC said two spots at next year’s Tokyo Olympics that had been up for grabs in that competition had been revoked.

The International Shooting Sport Federation said on Wednesday it faced “an urgent situation as Pakistani athletes cannot get entry visas to participate in the competition” because of the Kashmir attack.

The IOC said Olympic berths would still be up for grabs in other events.

“The IOC restricted the withdrawal of recognition as an Olympic qualification event to the 25m rapid fire pistol competition in which the two Pakistani athletes were supposed to participate,” it said.

“This happened in the interest of the other 500 athletes from 61 countries participating in the other events who are already in India for their competition.”


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  Comments - 7

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  • Raj Friday, 22 February 2019 11:14 AM

    India misunderstood that having 1bn population and being dominant in Cricket makes them so powerful in sporting world!

    Apathy Friday, 22 February 2019 11:53 AM

    Great Stand.. Hope the Toothless ICC will take note as well without pandering . These stupid political issues should never come in between sports. They should be solved separately.

    suresh Friday, 22 February 2019 01:16 PM

    better to loose the application to host events rather than allow this blood thirsty terrorists in to the country

    sammy cooper Friday, 22 February 2019 02:37 PM

    Countries can't sadly have it both ways. If you want to host international events then you need to allow all participants.

    Ranjan,ex Police. Friday, 22 February 2019 02:46 PM

    If Indians are so angry to deny visa to two Pakistani athletes in an international event,then just imagine how much tolerance we have shown to India even though it created the Tiger terrorists and made hell in our country for 30 years and used its Army to kill and rape thousands of Tamils in the North and East. We all support the decision by the International Olympic Committee to isolate this nasty country called India. At last the world seeing India for what it is.

    Mushi Friday, 22 February 2019 02:50 PM

    Well done ! IOC. India think, he is the super power and can dominate terms and so desperate to isolate Pakistan from rest of the world which is only a dream.

    Neville Gunasekara Sunday, 24 February 2019 11:14 AM

    Yes, but why Imran Khan is not condemning the attack.


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