India agrees to board changes after threat to Olympic participation

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has amended its constitution after a threat to its participation in the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended India last year because of alleged government interference in the IOA's election process.

The IOC also insisted India had to maintain ethics rules and bar officials charged with a criminal offence.

They were given a deadline of Tuesday but have agreed to make the changes, with new elections planned in February.

Following a meeting on Sunday (8th December), Senior IOA official S. Reghunathan, who chaired Sunday's meeting, told reporters "we've amended the constitution.

"Once the amendment is accepted (by the IOC), they'd revoke the suspension so that we can conduct a fresh election."

Lalit Bhanot and Abhay Singh Chautala, elected as IOA Secretary General and President respectively in last year's controversial election, will leave their posts.

Chautala explained "we are stepping down in the interest of the Indian athletes, and also under pressure from the IOC."

IOC President Thomas Bach said on Saturday that India would face expulsion from the Olympic movement unless they complied.

Bach told the Associated Press "The (Olympic) charter is clear, if the suspension leads to no solution, then further steps could be withdrawal of recognition."

No country has been banned from the Olympics since South Africa were expelled between 1968 and 1988 during the apartheid era.