Lifting of Olympics ban will be 'perfect gift' for athletes: Sushil Kumar

New Delhi: Welcoming the IOC's decision to revoke India's suspension if the IOA holds its polls next year, star wrestler Sushil Kumar today said the country's sports administrators have been provided with an opportunity by the world body to present a "perfect gift" to its athletes before next year's Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Double Olympic medallist grappler said this decision of the IOC would enable the Indian sportspersons to participate in multi-disciplinary sporting events under the National Flag.

"It's now up to our sports administrators to present the Indian athletes with a perfect gift before the all-important Commonwealth Games and Asian Games next year. All the athletes want to compete under the tri-colour. We all want to return to the Olympic fold," Sushil told PTI here.

The IOC is pleased with the IOA for agreeing to undertake amendments in its constitution, which would bar charge-framed officials from the association. The IOC has asked the IOA to now conduct its polls as soon as possible to ensure a return to the Olympic fold. The IOA has already set aside February 9 to conduct its election.

As a result of the decision, the Indian athletes have a chance to compete in the Winter Games in Sochi. The Indian body was suspended by the IOC last December after electing secretary-general Lalit Bhanot, who had spent 10 months in jail on corruption charges related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Sushil said the athletes want a clean and effective Olympic body, which can help Indian sports to grow.

Sushil's sentiments for good governance have been echoed in the past by a number of Indian athletes including fellow grappler and Beijing Games bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, Beijing Olympics gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and multiple Grand Slam doubles winning tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi.

Sushil said he was training hard towards his goal of bringing a gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics. "I am working in that direction. The preparation is heading in right direction. I have set my eyes on gold in Rio Olympics. I have no injury issues at the moment. I am fit and raring to go keeping in mind next year," he said.

Asked about FILA's proposal to change the weight categories where it would go for six weight classes in both men's styles (Freestyle and Greco Roman) and six weights for women's Freestyle, Sushil said, "It would be too early to comment on that. It's still in the proposal stage. Let them first make it official, then we will see."