16 May 2013

India eyes return to Olympics with government guarantees

6:23 am on 16 May 2013

India has assured the International Olympic Committee it will fully respect the Olympic movement's autonomy in the country, in a first step towards mending relations after the nation was banned from the Games over government interference.

The IOC banned the country in December after refusing to recognise the results of Indian Olympic Association elections due to government interference, which led to a tainted official being named its secretary general.

The ban meant an end to funding from the IOC for the IOA, no Indian officials attending Olympic meetings and Indian athletes banned from competing at the Olympics under their country's flag.