IOC asks members to not grant event to India involving Kosovo
New Delhi: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has asked all its member federations not to grant any world event to India involving Kosovo after the country denied visa to a boxer from the European nation for the ongoing AIBA Women's World Championships here.
In a strongly-worded letter to the President and Secretary-General of all International Federations (IFs) on Monday, the IOC reiterated its position on political discrimination against countries at sporting events in the light of the recent development involving Kosovo.
"The IOC has been working together with the International Federations, and the umbrella organisations concerned, for many years to protect the fundamental principles which govern the Olympic Movement and make sure that, when a national sports organisation/country decides to bid for an international sports event, it equally abides by the rules of the Olympic Movement," IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miro said. "The national sports federation must guarantee that all athletes and sporting delegations eligible to come and participate, without any undue discrimination or political interference from the host country," he said.
The IOC has asked all the IFs to get a written undertaking from the Indian authorities for equal participation before allotting the country any world event in future involving Kosovo.
"Unfortunately, there are also a few examples which could not be resolved successfully and in which sporting delegations were prevented by the host country from participating in an international sporting event organised by an International Federation.
"The latest incident occurred in India, where the sporting delegation and athletes from Kosovo were not allowed to come and participate in a world boxing championship (this year and last year).
"This shows clearly that, until this matter is seriously addressed and resolved by the competent Indian authorities, India is not in a position to host international sporting events in which a sporting delegation from Kosovo is due to take part."
The recent development follows high-profile controversies involving Kosovo, who faced stumbling blocks at both the World Karate Championships earlier this month and the ongoing Women's Boxing World Championships.
Kosovo were unable to participate at the boxing event after their sole representative Donjeta Sadiku was refused visa by the Indian government, which doesn't recognise the country.