Indian Olympic Association on the defensive after International Olympic Committee cracks whip

The Indian Olympic Association is coming under increasing pressure to ensure India's return to the Olympic fold. A letter issued by the International Olympic Committee on Thursday clearly tells the IOA to axe its tainted officials or face the consequences. The IOA has been in exile since December 2012 for electing officials charged with corruption. According to the Olympic Charter, there is no place for sports administrators with "unethical" links. (Read)

In a letter to the IOA, a copy of which was first accessed by NDTV on Friday morning, the IOC has set two deadlines. After its executive board meeting in Buenos Aires on Thursday, the IOC wants the IOA to get rid of "charge-sheeted" officials by October 31 and secondly, to hold elections by December 15. The elections will follow only after IOC approves IOA's amended constitution.

The "charge-sheet" clause simply means the IOA will not be allowed to elect persons who have been charged with any fraudulent activity. IOC's executive board suspended India in December 2012 after Lalit Bhanot, who is facing corruption charges linked to the scandal-hit New Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010, was elected secretary-general of the IOA. (Read: Full Letter)

Under pressure IOA seems to be on the defensive. Speaking to NDTV on Friday afternoon, IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh said: "IOA is ready to co-operate and fully respects the IOC letter but no decision can be made without consulting the 180-member general body." (Watch Video)

Singh, who on Thursday called the "charge-sheet" clause a minor issue, said: "Nobody wants India out of the Olympic family. We will not shield anyone and no individual is bigger than the country." Now it remains to be seen how soon IOA implements the IOC strictures. (Read: Nobody bigger than nation says Tarlochan Singh)

After its annual general meeting on August 25, the battle between the IOA and the international committee intensified. The IOA refused to accept the charge-sheet clause as interpreted by the IOC, saying the law of the land did not stop anyone from contesting elections till he has been found guilty by the court.

After failing to 'tame' India's defiant officials several times in the past, IOC this time seems to mean business. Apart from trying to boot out corrupt officials, the IOC also wants age and tenure." Interestingly, this is also a major point in the Sports Bill proposed by the Indian sports ministry.

This is the first time that IOC and a government agency have joined hands to clean up IOA. Under normal circumstances, the IOC is against any interference from the government, but the Indian sports ministry and the IOC are on the same page this time.

Acting IOA president and BJP heavyweight Vijay Malhotra, he is the one recognized by the IOC, said: "We will do everything for India's return. We have to put up a united front and if we have to accept a clause that is universally accepted, we will." (Read: Athletes should not lose focus)

The momentum to clean up IOA has received a great boost from former athletes and current Olympians. Beijing Games gold medallist Abhinav Bindra feels "this is an extreme situation and IOA is trying to negotiate a non-negotiable clause." Bindra, who won a shooting gold in the 2008 Games, is part of a Clean India Sports campaign that has former track and field internationals - Reeth Abraham and Ashwini Nachappa - at the helm.

While Reeth wants current athletes to focus on their training, Nachappa says time has come to "push the bad ones out." London Olympian shooter feels not representing India will be a shame while former hockey star Viren Rasquinha remembers how the national anthem got his adrenaline going before an international game. (Watch Video)