IOA decides not to act against Kalmadi

The Indian Olympic Association shied away from acting against the tainted Suresh Kalmadi despite the world body threatening to act on its own, saying there is no need for action against its president since he has decided keep away from sports administration.

The IOA had called an Executive Board meeting to discuss letters from the International Olympic Committee, asking it to act against Kalmadi, but refrained from taking any hard decisions.

Kalmadi spent nine months in jail because of the Commonwealth Games corruption scandal before being released on bail last month.

IOA acting-president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the national body has replied to the three letters from the IOC and will wait for further communication from the world body.

"The Executive Committee unanimously accepted the two letters written by Kalmadi to IOA acting president, which said he would not assert his rights and obligations as IOA president, as he would not be able to function as IOA chief for long time," Malhotra told a press conference in Delhi on Friday.

"The Executive Committee passed a resolution that the IOA acting president will continue as IOA chief with all the powers under its Constitution.

"We have replied to all the letters sent to us by the IOC. We will wait for replies from the IOC," he added, when asked about the IOC's threat to act on its own if the IOA fails to do the same.

Coming out of the meeting that lasted about 30 minutes, Malhotra did not divulge anything on the contents of the replies and pleaded to talk on other issues, simply trying to switch topics.

Asked what was the IOA's stand on IOC wanting to know about the chargesheet filed against Kalmadi, Malhotra replied, "The IOA has nothing to do with it. It's a matter between the government and Kalmadi. It's a court case and the IOA can't do anything in that."

On being pressed why Kalmadi hadn't resigned yet, Malhotra shot back, "You should ask him. He has said he would not assert his rights and obligations of IOA president."

Malhotra also informed that the Executive Committee passed a resolution approving the new amended rules of the Ethics Commission as required under the IOC.

"The Executive Committee also approved the new rules issued by the IOC Ethics Commission in January. We have circulated the IOC rules to all the members as well as the members of the Ethics Commission and have sought for suggestions from them within 10 days," he said.

"All this will be incorporated and sent to the IOC for approval," he added.

Another top IOA official, however, claimed that the IOA's Annual General Meeting will have to approve the new rules before the Ethics Commission comes into force.

"The Ethics Commission cannot start functioning now. The new rules under the IOC will have to be approved by AGM first. Then only the Ethics Commission will start functioning," he said.

IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh, however, made it clear that the existing Ethics Commission will continue to function.

"The resolution we have passed is very clear. The existing Ethics Commission stands. We have circulated the IOC's amended rules to the members and we will frame the new rules after getting the feedback," Randhir Singh said.

Malhotra denied that the IOA has decided to boycott the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics, in protest against non-removal of Dow Chemicals as one of the sponsors.

"There were some reports that the IOA will boycott the opening and closing ceremonies of London Olympics. The issue was not in the agenda today. But the IOA has not taken any decision on this," Malhotra said.