New Delhi, November 2026 : The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed serious concern over recurring disputes surrounding the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) election process, warning that the continuing controversy is damaging the reputation and functioning of India's Olympic movement.
In a strongly worded communication to IOA president PT Usha, the IOC has called for the association's executive council elections, scheduled for December 5, to be conducted strictly in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the IOA constitution. It has emphasised that the electoral process must be free, fair, transparent and protected from external interference.
The letter was signed by James Macleod, IOC Director of National Olympic Committee Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365. The IOC expressed disappointment that governance-related disputes had resurfaced despite earlier efforts to establish a robust administrative framework for the Indian Olympic Association.
The world body cautioned that the ongoing situation was having a negative impact on the functioning and reputation of the Olympic movement in India. It has placed the responsibility on the IOA and its electoral officer, Sanjay K Srivastava, to ensure that the December 5 elections follow all prescribed rules.
IOC intervention ahead of India's 2036 Olympic bid presentation
The IOC's communication comes at a significant time for India's ambition to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. The country is scheduled to make a presentation before the IOC's Future Host Commission on November 26 as part of its bid.
PT Usha is expected to participate in the 40-minute virtual meeting in her capacity as IOA president. Although the IOC has not directly connected the election controversy with India's Olympic bid, the warning comes as the country seeks to demonstrate its institutional preparedness and governance standards to host the world's biggest sporting event.
PT Usha seeks probe into alleged election irregularities
The latest IOC response follows a three-page letter sent by Usha to IOC president Kirsty Coventry on November 9. In her communication, the IOA president had requested an independent examination of alleged irregularities in the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections.
Usha raised several concerns, including alleged campaigning by incumbent officials, circulation of messages seeking votes for a particular panel and attempts to establish whether voters had participated in the secret-ballot process.
She also questioned references to the Sports Ministry and the handling of four representations submitted to the electoral officer. These allegations have added to the uncertainty surrounding the association's electoral process.
Previous IOC concerns over IOA governance
This is not the first occasion on which the IOC has raised concerns about governance issues within the Indian Olympic Association.
In October 2024, the international body had held the IOA responsible for the impasse over the appointment of its CEO, Raghuram Iyer, and urged the association to resolve its internal differences. The standoff had also affected discussions surrounding India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
During an interaction with the Indian delegation in Lausanne in July 2025, the IOC had highlighted three major areas of concern: IOA governance, India's anti-doping record and the country's performance at the Olympic Games.
The latest warning has once again brought the Indian Olympic Association's governance challenges into focus. With the December 5 elections and the November 26 presentation approaching, India faces the task of addressing institutional concerns while strengthening its case for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
