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India Back In Olympics, Will Fly Own Flag


India is back in the Olympic fold after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifted a suspension resulting from a national corruption case.

The move comes in time for India's flag to fly at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said on February 11 that the reinstatement "takes immediate effect" and that Indian athletes -- who had been competing independently under the Olympic flag -- can now represent India.

He said a special flag-raising ceremony will be held in the Olympic Village in Sochi.

The suspension had been imposed after Lalit Bhanot, who spent 11 months in jail on corruption charges, was voted in as secretary-general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in December.

The IOA resolved the dispute by holding new elections on February 9 and amending its constitution to comply with Olympic guidelines.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

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