Shiva Keshavan, Himanshu Thakur, Nadeem Iqbal won't represent India at the Sochi Olympics

The opening ceremony for this year's Winter Olympics will get under way in Sochi, Russia, on Friday evening. There will be no tricolour at that opening ceremony, as the three Indian athletes who have qualified for the Games, are competing as independent athletes. The reason? India's suspension by the International Olympic Committee. The Indian Olympic Association will have its fresh elections on Sunday, could they not have advanced them by just a few days so that this embarrassment could've been avoided? (Also read: Disgrace that Indians will walk under IOC flag, say ex-Olympians)

Shiva Keshavan, in his fifth Olympics, was at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. But that will not happen this year in Sochi, as India's best-known luger will not be competing under the tri-colour. Skiers Himanshu Thakur and Nadeem Iqbal, have qualified for the Games in Sochi, along with Keshavan. But they will all be competing as independent athletes under the flag of the IOC. (Also read: Five things to know about Sochi Games)

India's return to the Olympic fold is likely to take at least a month. That too only after the IOC is satisfied with the way this Sunday's IOA elections are conducted. But the question is, could the IOA not have had their elections just a few days earlier, to allow India's winter athletes to compete under the tri-colour?

"Even if we had it a few days earlier, it would take us a month for everything to get approved. Do you think we have anything against the winter athletes of our country? This is because of the IOC's rules and regulations, and it's not our fault. I don't see any reason why we should apologise to anyone", IOA's senior vice-president Tarlochan Singh told NDTV on Friday afternoon.

That in a way sums up the sentiment of India's sports administrators. Clearly the athlete is of least importance in the scheme of things. Afterall, dates for opening ceremonies for events like the Olympics are known well in advance. "You are your country's ambassador when you enter that stadium behind your country's flag. It is a moment that gives you goosebumps. Nothing quite matches up to that sentiment, except of course winning a medal. And it is unfortunate that these three athletes will not be experiencing that", said veteran shooter Mansher Singh.

And while India may not be represented at the Sochi Games, the bodysuit that Shiva Keshavan will be wearing during competition will have the signatures of thousands of fans, thus making India's presence felt in some way.

To honour the nation in the best possible way he can, Shiva will be wearing a subtle combination of traditional meets modern. A unique woven ski jacket styled from Himalayan wool and a woolen cap with hand woven patterns typical of the Manali Valley has been prepared for Shiva. The image pays a subtle tribute to the high Himalayan mountain shepherds symbolising the preservation of cultural roots.

This is paired with black warm pants and a rust-orange muffler to form the ceremonial dress of the now five-time Olympian and two-time Asian Champion. The Jacket has the five Olympic rings in the back, and has been crafted close to La Plagne in France by Jonathan and Fletcher, specialists in textile development, who have also manufactured Shiva's Olympic race suit.