IOC threatens to ban Kuwait from Olympic movement in dispute over state interference

IOC threatens to ban Kuwait from Olympic movement

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee says Kuwait will be suspended from the Olympic movement if it does not change its sports laws within six weeks.

The IOC’s executive board Tuesday gave Kuwait a July 31 deadline to amend a law which currently allows the state to interfere in elections for positions in sports organizations.

The charter allows the IOC to sanction a National Olympic Committee if a government interferes in its independent work.

The IOC said it had spent two years working to find a solution with the Kuwait-based Olympic Council of Asia and officials.

If the suspension takes effect, Kuwaiti athletes and officials will be barred from Olympic events and business.