Olympic Newsdesk - Potential Suspension for India; Procter & Gamble Considering IOC Sponsorship?

India Could Face Olympic Suspension

The IOC issued a warning to the Indian government about interfering with autonomy of the Indian Olympic Association.

The IOA and Indian sports ministry are in a dispute over a proposal that would limit the terms of sports federation administrators to 12 years in office. In a letter to Indian IOC member Randhir Singh, the IOC said that the new rule "might regrettably expose the NOC and the Olympic Movement in India to the protective measures and potential sanctions provided in the Olympic Charter."

On Wednesday, IOA President Suresh Kalmadi led a delegation of the national sporting federation leaders to meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to request intervention.

"The Prime Minister told us that he would look into the matter and get back to us," Kalmadi was quoted by local media. "If you fiddle with the autonomy you get into trouble. If the IOC imposes sanctions it can bring to a standstill all sports activity in the country."

Late Wednesday, the Sports Ministry said it would respond directly to the IOC.

The government says that due to hosting the Commonwealth Games, officials would stay in office until elections or their current terms expire.

The dispute comes at a bad time for Indian sporting officials. The Commonwealth Games Federation Coordination Commission just completed its last full inspection of Delhi ahead of Commonwealth Games that start Oct. 3.

The commission noted key concerns including in the areas of security, organizational structure during the Games and venue delivery. The main concern was the delivery of the athletics stadium, swimming complex and athletes village.

"These delays have a knock on effect and hamper the Organizing Committee’s planning and implementation for final overlay, staff training, rehearsal, and simulation," the commission said in a statement. "It is imperative that everything be done to accelerate works and that the agencies responsible for venue delivery cooperate fully with the Organizing Committee to ensure the final planning for handover and operations."

Procter & Gamble Considering TOP Sponsorship?

Procter & Gamble may become a sponsor of the IOC.

According to a report in Brand Republic, P&G "is in talks" with the IOC to join The Olympic Partner program, the highest level ofOlympic sponsorship.

P&G is currently a sponsor of the USOC and launched an aggressive marketing campaign for the Vancouver Olympics. That deal lasts through the 2012 Olympics in London.

The report says "P&G has spoken to ad agencies about creating a major campaign promoting its sponsorship", which would start at the London Olympics.

No one at P&G could be reached by Around the Rings for comment on the story.

ATR has also learned a second U.S.-based multinational corporation is considering joining the TOP sponsor program.

There are nine TOP sponsors.

Chicago 2016 Paying for Summer Sports

Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics is over, but the bid is paying for several youth sports programs in Chicago this summer.

Reports say more than $6 million in leftover funds from the bid are going to archery, weightlifting and wrestling camps in Chicago. The money has also been earmarked for a wrestling festival at Navy Pier, a tourist hotspot in the city.

Funds have also been allocated to improve athletics and swimming programs in Chicago.

The programs will be run under the auspices of World Sport Chicago, which was founded to attract Olympic sporting events to Chicago, and bring Olympic sports to the city’s youth.

Judo Starts Road to London

The International Judo Federation begins the qualification period for the London 2012 Oympics Friday with the IJF Tunis Grand Prix.

Around 360 athletes from 42 countries will gather in Tunisia to gain qualification points for the 2012 Olympics. The tournament ends on Sunday.

Silver Medalist Investigated for doping

Olympic silver medalist Stephanie Graf is under investigation for doping six years after retiring.

The Austrian National Anti-doping agency is investigating allegations that Graf visited an infamous Vienna laboratory caught up in multiple doping scandals to have blood drawn for blood doping.

"I won't let myself be influenced by this negative energy," Graf said.

Graf won silver in the 800 meters at the Sydney Games in 2000. She retired before the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.