IOC suspends discussions with India on hosting future events
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended all discussions with India on hosting future sports and Olympic-related events in the country. This comes after two Pakistani shooters were not issued visas for the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi. The ISSF World Cup is set to begin from Saturday. Here is more on the same.
IOC's statement on 25m rapid fire pistol event
"The IOC restricted the withdrawal of recognition as an Olympic qualification event to the 25m rapid fire pistol competition in which the two Pakistani athletes were supposed to participate. This happened in the interest of the other 500 athletes from 61 countries participating in the other events who are already in India for their competition," the IOC said in a statement.
IOC retains 14 Olympics spots on offer
On Thursday, International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) President Vladimir Lisin had announced that all the allotted 16 Olympic quotas for the 2020 Games in Tokyo would be scrapped. But the apex body limited the withholding of quotas to only two, besides retaining 14.
14 quotas retained for athletes who already reached India
Regarding the Olympic quotas, the IOC made it clear that it was being done considering the number of athletes that were already in India in order to participate for the event. This decision was made as it would have been unfair on them. Two Pakistani shooters, G M Bashir and Khalil Ahmed, were denied visas in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
'Equal treatment must be guaranteed for all athletes'
The Olympic body said that India will not be allowed to organize any Olympics-related events in the future, till they provide a written assurance from the government in relation to the Olympic charter. The IOC added that equal treatment must be guaranteed for all athletes.
One should follow the Olympic charter
"This situation goes against the fundamental principles of the Olympic charter, in particular the principles of non-discrimination, as well as the IOC's and the Olympic movement's position, reiterated on many occasions over the past few years, that equal treatment must be guaranteed for all participating athletes and sporting delegations at international sports events, without any form of discrimination or political interference," the statement said.
Why the Pakistani shooters weren't issued visas?
The Pakistani shooters were denied visas by the Indian High Commission. Relations between the two countries have hit a new low following an attack on a CRPF vehicle in Pulwama. The incident resulted in the death of over 40 soldiers with several others injured. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility. The incident is the deadliest terrorist strike in almost two decades in J&K.
Pakistan's NRSF President's feared visas being denied
Pakistan's National Rifle Shooting Federation President Razi Ahmed told PTI, "I was worried about getting the visas after the Pulwama incident and our fears have come true. It is disappointing that our shooters will not get a chance to try and qualify for 2020 Olympics."
