Australian Government Bans Entry for Two Olympic Family Members
The IOC has requested an explanation from the Australian government as to why two high officials from the Olympic family had been denied entry into the country to participate at the Olympic Games.
IOC Director General, Francois Carrard, confirmed that IOC President Samaranch had sent a letter to the Australian Prime Minister John Howard asking for reasons as to why the two were banned. Apparently the two officials were barred from boarding their flights for Sydney.
One of the two was identified as the AIBA Executive Committee member representing the continent of Asia, and member of the NOC, Gafur Rakhimov from Uzbekistan, who has allegedly been linked to Russian organized crime and drug trafficking has also been on file with FBI.
The identity of the other however, is still unknown.
The Director General blatantly refused to speculate on the situation and proclaimed that he could give no further information until the IOC had been informed on the specifics.
According to SOCOG’s Host City Contract the Olympic accreditation should function as a VISA for entry into the country and should be respected.
On the other hand the Australian Minister of Immigration Philip Ruddock declared point blank that the issue was up to Australian Government and the applicant and that the incidence was related to the safety and security of the Australian Community.
Sportcal.com
IOC Director General, Francois Carrard, confirmed that IOC President Samaranch had sent a letter to the Australian Prime Minister John Howard asking for reasons as to why the two were banned. Apparently the two officials were barred from boarding their flights for Sydney.
One of the two was identified as the AIBA Executive Committee member representing the continent of Asia, and member of the NOC, Gafur Rakhimov from Uzbekistan, who has allegedly been linked to Russian organized crime and drug trafficking has also been on file with FBI.
The identity of the other however, is still unknown.
The Director General blatantly refused to speculate on the situation and proclaimed that he could give no further information until the IOC had been informed on the specifics.
According to SOCOG’s Host City Contract the Olympic accreditation should function as a VISA for entry into the country and should be respected.
On the other hand the Australian Minister of Immigration Philip Ruddock declared point blank that the issue was up to Australian Government and the applicant and that the incidence was related to the safety and security of the Australian Community.
Sportcal.com