*NEW DELHI: The International Olympic Committee have suspended all Indianapplications to host future events and urged international sportsfederations not to stage competitions in the country after two Pakistaniswere denied visas to compete in New Delhi.*
The denial of entry visas for two shooters due to take part in a World Cupevent this weekend after the February 14 Pulwama Attack. India is accusingPakistan without evidence since the attack.
The IOC said the refusal of visas for competitors went against theprinciples of the Olympic charter relating to discrimination and politicalinterference from the host country.
“Since becoming aware of the issue, and in spite of intense last-minute …efforts … and discussions with the Indian government authorities, nosolution has been found to allow the Pakistani delegation to enter India intime to compete,” the IOC statement said.
“As a result, the IOC Executive Board also decided to suspend alldiscussions with the Indian NOC and government regarding the potentialapplications for hosting future sports and Olympic-related events inIndia,” it said.
The body also urged all international sports federations not to hold eventsin India, or grant hosting rights to the country for future competitions,until the government had provided “clear written guarantees” to ensureaccess for all athletes.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) last year laid out an ambitiousroadmap to host the Youth Olympics in 2026, the Asian Games in 2030 and theSummer Olympics for the first time in 2032.
“It’s a big setback for sports in the country,” IOA secretary generalRajeev Mehta told Reuters.
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“We’ve been in constant touch with the government, trying to explain tothem and convince them to grant visas to the Pakistani shooters. This isreally unfortunate.”
Last year, a boxer from Kosovo, which India does not recognise as anindependent state, was denied visa for the women’s world championships inNew Delhi.
Boxing’s governing body AIBA criticised the decision and warned it mightreopen the bidding process for the 2021 men’s championship due to takeplace in India.
“It’s really unfortunate that it happened again,” Mehta said.
“I spoke to IOC officials last night and the impression I got is that therecould be more trouble for us. We at IOA will discuss the crisis with thegovernment and try to find a way out.”
The Pakistani shooters were scheduled to take part in the 25m pistol eventand the IOC said two spots at next year’s Tokyo Olympics that had been upfor grabs in that competition had been revoked.
