Sports Minister Jitendra Singh today said he would try to convince the IOA to hold its much-awaited elections before the scheduled date of February 9 to ensure that the Indian athletes are able to compete under the national flag during the Sochi Winter Olympics, starting February 7.
India's return to the Olympic fold would be done officially after the IOA holds its elections.
The Indian Olympic Association, which has bowed to the IOC's diktat of barring tainted officials from its polls, has set aside February 9 for its election despite governing body making it clear that the Indian athletes would have to compete under the Olympic flag in Sochi if the polls are not held before the event.
"We are trying that elections are held by the last week of January or February 2 or 3 so that Indian athletes can compete under the national flag in the Winter Games," Jitendra told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of Olympic bronze-medallist boxer M C Mary Kom's autobiography -- 'Unbreakable' -- here.
The Minister, who personally led an Indian delegation to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne to help resolve the matter some months back, said he was glad that a solution was finally in sight to the impasse, which is now one year old.
"Any person with a criminal background cannot contest IOA elections which is a great thing. Earlier they could contest because of the escape route provided by the ethics committee but that door is shut now," he said.
