ASIA COUNCIL SAYS NORTH KOREA FLAG 🇰🇵 DISPUTE WITH WADA U RESOLVED

Reuters 

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said on Sunday it was trying to resolve the "sensitive issue" of its decision to allow North Korea to fly its flag at the Hangzhou Asian Games despite it being banned over non-compliance with global anti-doping rules.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned the flag at all major sporting events, outside the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in 2021 after deeming that North Korea had failed to implement an effective testing programme.

But the flag has been displayed throughout the 19th Asian Games: at the opening ceremony, in the athletes' village, and at competitions and medal ceremonies.

WADA said North Korea was still non-compliant with its anti-doping code and the OCA had failed to enforce its sanction.

SHEIKH AHMAD, BROTHER FILE CASES AGAINST IOC AT CAS OVER ELECTION

Reuters

Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has lodged a case against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following his ban for "influencing" the election of his brother to a key Olympic post.

Sheikh Ahmad was banned from the IOC for three years in July after it found he had an "undeniable impact" on Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) elections in which his brother, Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, was appointed president.

The IOC's ethics commission said the IOC should not recognise Sheikh Talal's appointment until a full review of the OCA elections process was carried out.

IOC ASKS SINGH TO CONTINUE AS ACTING HEAD OF OLYMPIC COUNCIL OF ASIA

Reuters 

The International Olympic Committee has asked India's Randhir Singh to continue as acting head of the Olympic Council of Asia, according to a letter seen by Reuters, after the IOC refused to recognise the Asian governing body's elections.

Earlier this week, the IOC banned Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah for three years, saying he had an "undeniable impact" on this month's OCA elections in which his brother Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was appointed president.

Sheikh Ahmad travelled to Bangkok ahead of the election and was in the city when it took place, which was "interpreted as interference in the election process" by the IOC's ethics commission. Sheikh Ahmad has denied any wrongdoing.

OCA PAVES WAY FOR RUSSIAN, BELARUSIAN ATHLETES TO COMPETE AT ASIAN GAMES

Reuters 

Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete at the Hangzhou Asian Games to help them earn points to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) voted on Saturday that as many as 500 athletes from the two countries could compete under a neutral flag, but will not be permitted to win medals at the Sept. 28-Oct. 8 Games.

Registering an international result, however, could help pave their way to Paris.

In January, OCA acting president Randhir Singh told reporters "They won't interfere in our medal system or Asian quota for the Olympic Games."