Olympic Newsdesk -- India, IOC Meet to Resolve Conflicts; Sarajevo Honors Samaranch, BOA Athletes Commission

India, IOC Meet to Resolve Issues

The IOC, and government and Olympic leaders from India met on June 18, apparently putting to rest concerns over government interference with the Indian Olympic Association.

Concerns surfaced when the Indian sports ministry attempted to reinstate a law that imposed term limits on IOA and sport federation officials. The Olympic Charter says all National Olympic Committees must be free from interference from the government.

According to the IOC, "a fruitful meeting" took place between the IOC, IOA, and the ministry. IOC member Randhir Singh, who also serves as IOA secretary general, represented the IOA, while Injeti Srinivas, joint secretary for sports, represented the ministry.

"During this meeting, all issues currently pending were discussed at length and settled" the IOC said in a statement.

"All parties agreed to work together with mutual respect and understanding in order to develop and implement the principles of good governance within the Olympic and sports Movement in India in accordance with the Olympic Charter."

The IOC stressed the government "must respect the autonomy of the Olympic and sports Movement and take place in accordance with the Olympic Charter, for the benefit of sport and the athletes in India."

Everyone involved is looking forward to a "fruitful collaboration" in the future, the IOC said.

Sarajevo Olympic Venue Renamed for Samaranch

Olympic Hall Zetra, the main venue for the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics is renamed in honor of the late Juan Antonio Samaranch.

The stadium was damaged during the Yugoslavian civil wars ofthe 1990s. Under Samaranch’s leadership, the IOC gave more than $10 million to restore the venue, and in 1999 restoration was complete.

Sarajevo was Samaranch’s first Games as IOC president.

Zetra was the venue for figure skating, ice hockey and speedskating, as well as the closing ceremony.

The National Olympic Committee of Bosnia-Herzegovina proposed the name change to the Sarajevo Assembly. A plan is also under consideration to name a major street in Sarajevo after Samaranch.

British Athletes Commission Election Opens

The British Olympic Association says that 33 Olympians from 16 sports have been shortlisted for election to the remaining 12 seats of its new Athletes’ Commission. Voting opens today and the results will be announced in July.

The candidate list for the volunteer positions includes multiple Olympic medalists and athletes who have taken part in Olympic Games on as many as four occasions.

A peer voting process will see commission members elected by athletes on the BOA's World Class Performance Pathway, but also Olympians who have competed for Team GB since 1998.

Led by chairwoman Sarah Winckless, the Athletes’ Commission will represent the voice of athletes and in the major decisions made by the BOA

"The outstanding shortlist of nominated athletes will ensure that the BOA receives truly world-class advice from the Athletes’ Commission," said BOA Chief Executive Andy Hunt.

"We look forward to the valuable contributions and perspective the Athletes’ Commission will offer to Team GB as we head towards London 2012 and beyond."

Written by Ed Hula III.