Fresh Controversy over Athletes' Commission

Meanwhile, a controversy is now brewing with regard to the setting up of the Athletes Commission. The constitution requires a member of the Athletes Commission to have represented Sri Lanka in one of the last three Olympics.

Article 5 (a) says: “Two athletes’ representatives (with one vote each) elected by the COMMITTEE’s Athletes’ Commission established as per the IOC guidelines. Those elected representatives must have taken part in at least one of the last three editions of the Olympic Games.”

The NOC membership now want to make further changes to the constitution to align it with IOC guidelines and make it inclusive by removing the requirement for compulsory Olympic participation.

The IOC guidelines say, “The Commission has a minimum of five members who are nationals of the country of the NOC in question. They must be at least 16 years of age, and have never received any sanction in relation to the World Anti-Doping Code.”

The Commission is composed of a majority of athletes who, at the time of their election/nomination, are participating at a national level (at least) in a sport on the Olympic programme, or have done so within the previous four years.

However, according to an email written by SecretaryGeneral Maxwell de Silva and addressed to Rohan Fernando and Suresh Subramaniam— two individuals expected to vie for NOC’s top seat at a future election—de Silva has cited that the Athletes’ Commission has already been set up.

“IOC as far back (sic) April 2017 sent us the guidelines regarding the formation of the AC, and also the adopted constitution of NOCSL Clause 5.1(d) are the guiding principles of formation o AC which I did pass down to eligible Athletes for them to do the needful,” de Silva wrote. According to de Silva, the AC has already been set up.

However several National Sports Federations (NSFs) have reacted angrily.

“We strongly suggest that you officially invite all NSF’s in the Olympic Games program to nominate eligible athletes to create the Athletes’ Commission and desist from calling them on a personal basis leading to suspicions of your activities,” a letter signed by 12 sports bodies stated. “Any nominations submitted without following the due process will not be accepted by a majority of NSF’s.

The letter has been prepared with the consent of 17 NSFs.