NEW DELHI (AP) — The Indian Olympic Association has amended its constitution to avoid expulsion from the Olympics.
The changes were made at a meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, just two days ahead of an IOC deadline. The IOC insisted those charged with a crime cannot run for elections.
The Indian Olympic body had wanted to bar only officials convicted for two years or more, leaving cases of those convicted for lesser periods to be judged by an internal committee.
The IOA was suspended last year for not following its own constitution and electing tainted officials, notably secretary-general Lalit Bhanot, who spent 10 months in jail on corruption charges related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Bhanot and President Abhay Chautala, charged in a recruitment scam not related to sports, are among those ineligible for elections.
