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India complete Olympic return with Sochi flag raising - The Times of India
SOCHI ( Russia): India completed its return to the Olympic family on Sunday when its flag was hoisted at the Sochi Games, five days after the International Olympic Committeelifted its suspension on the Southeast Asian nation.
India had been banned since December 2012 after elections at its Olympic association (IOA) saw a corruption-tainted official voted in as secretary general.
The IOClifted the ban on February 11 following fresh elections last week, allowing it to be represented at the Olympics and bringing the total number of nations competing at Russia's first Winter Games to 88.
"Very, very emotional," new IOApresident N Ramachandran, who is also heading the World Squash Federation, said.
"For us having been out for 15 months and to come back within two days after our elections is something I could not believe," he said, thanking IOC president Thomas Bachfor the quick decision.
India's three athletes had marched under the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony but can now carry their own standard on February 23 when the Games come to an end.
"It is now a fresh start for us and hopefully better days will come for Indian winter sports," luger Shiva Keshavansaid after the small ceremony that also included a few visiting Indian fans.
Two of the three athletes are currently Olympic scholarship holders.
The world's second most populous nation became the first to win readmission to the Olympic family during an ongoing Games.
The final athlete to compete in Sochi is Alpine skier Himanshu Thakur, who will take part in the giant slalom.
SOCHI ( Russia): India completed its return to the Olympic family on Sunday when its flag was hoisted at the Sochi Games, five days after the International Olympic Committeelifted its suspension on the Southeast Asian nation.
India had been banned since December 2012 after elections at its Olympic association (IOA) saw a corruption-tainted official voted in as secretary general.
The IOClifted the ban on February 11 following fresh elections last week, allowing it to be represented at the Olympics and bringing the total number of nations competing at Russia's first Winter Games to 88.
"Very, very emotional," new IOApresident N Ramachandran, who is also heading the World Squash Federation, said.
"For us having been out for 15 months and to come back within two days after our elections is something I could not believe," he said, thanking IOC president Thomas Bachfor the quick decision.
India's three athletes had marched under the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony but can now carry their own standard on February 23 when the Games come to an end.
"It is now a fresh start for us and hopefully better days will come for Indian winter sports," luger Shiva Keshavansaid after the small ceremony that also included a few visiting Indian fans.
Two of the three athletes are currently Olympic scholarship holders.
The world's second most populous nation became the first to win readmission to the Olympic family during an ongoing Games.
The final athlete to compete in Sochi is Alpine skier Himanshu Thakur, who will take part in the giant slalom.
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