Officials familiar with case: IOC suspends India

[December 04, 2012]  LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- Two officials with knowledge of the decision say the IOC has suspended India's national Olympic committee because of government interference.

The officials tell The Associated Press that the IOC executive board imposed the sanctions Tuesday after the Indian Olympic Association failed to comply with the world body's rules on the holding of elections.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement hadn't been made yet.

The IOC had repeatedly told the Indian body to adhere to its own constitution and the Olympic Charter and not follow the government's sports code for Wednesday's elections.

Suspension means the Indian body will stop receiving IOC funding and its officials will be banned from attending Olympic meetings and events. India's athletes will be barred from competing in Olympic events under their national flag.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN WILSON]

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