Pakistan Threatened–Olympic Suspension?

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

England’s Jonathan Trott leaves the field with South Africa’s JP Duminy (L), Chris Morris (2nd R) and Hashim Amla (R) after England won the ICC Champions Trophy semi final match at The Oval cricket ground, London June 19, 2013. REUTERS/Philip Brown

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has threatened Pakistan with suspension because of political interference in their National Olympic Committees (NOC). The IOC has strongly advised Pakistan to make changes in its attitude towards the NOCs in order to avoid an actual suspension.

According to a IOC statement, the Executive Board had noted that the situation of the Olympic movement, particularly in Pakistan, has deteriorated due to the creation of a parallel body to the NOC by a group of federations supported by the government authorities, in particular the Pakistan Sports Board. If the parallel body continued to disrupt the operations of the legitimate POA ( Pakistan Olympic Association) by organizing new elections outside the POA and by preventing the POA from exercising its activities as foreseen by the Olympic charter, then Pakistan would indeed be suspended.

Pakistan awaits face-to-face meetings with the IOC in order to further clarify it’s position.

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