Indian athletes will not be able to compete under the national flag at 2014 Winter Olympics

India will be denied the opportunity to march under its own flag at Sochi 2014, something they did at Vancouver 2010, because of the IOC suspension

Facing the threat of de-recognition, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) made an amendment to its constitution and its international suspension is said to be lifted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). However IOC chief Thomas Bach has said that the suspension will not be lifted in time before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and thus Indian athletes face the prospect of not being able to compete under the country’s national flag.

Bach revealed that despite the amendment to the IOA’s constitution, the suspension would not be lifted until after the conclusion of the new elections on February 9.

That date falls two days after the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and hence India will not be allowed to fly its flag at the event.

India’s only competitor at the Games – luger Shiva Keshavan – will compete under the auspices of the Olympic flag.

In the event of Keshavan winning gold and landing atop the podium, the Olympic flag would be raised and Olympic anthem played in place of India’s cultural symbols.

“We maintained the suspension,” said Bach following a meeting here of the IOC’s ruling Executive Board.

“The roadmap we have established before with the Indian Olympic Committee (sic) implies also the elections four weeks after the approval of these statutes.”

“So we are looking forward to the implementation of these new rules by transparent, open and democratic election in the IOA.”, added Bach.

He also went on to state – “We have already taken precaution for the athletes to make sure the athletes will not suffer from these procedures.”

“Indian athletes can participate in the Winter Games if they qualify of course but if there is no election before Sochi which meets the approval of the IOC, there will be no Indian flag in the Sochi Games, there will be no mention of India but we will ensure the participation of Indian athletes as independent athletes under the Olympic flag.”

“They will be provided with the necessary support and staff, but there will be no Chef de Mission.”

2014 is a big year for India’s athletes as they will be taking part in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and the Asian Games in Incheon. By then though, the suspension is expected to be lifted allowing athletes to compete under national colours yet again.