International Olympic Committee Suspends Former Olympic Power Broker Sheikh Ahmad for 15 Years
News Mania desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/5th May 2024
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has imposed a 15-year suspension on Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah of Kuwait following his conviction for forgery, which was upheld by a Swiss criminal appeals court earlier this year. The decision was approved by the IOC’s executive board, citing Sheikh Ahmad’s violation of his IOC Member’s oath and the damage caused to the IOC’s reputation.
This sanction comes in addition to a previous three-year ban imposed on Sheikh Ahmad for unethical conduct related to an Olympic Council of Asia election. The new 15-year suspension will commence from the date of his previous ban, making him ineligible for IOC membership until the age of 80, as per IOC rules. However, the Olympic Charter allows for expulsion of a member for breaching their oath, which could potentially occur at the annual meeting of IOC members.
Sheikh Ahmad, who played a significant role in various Olympic organizations, including leading the Olympic Council of Asia and serving as an IOC member since 1992, was once a close ally of IOC president Thomas Bach. However, he voluntarily suspended his membership after being indicted in Geneva in 2018. He also stepped down from his position as head of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
In January of this year, Sheikh Ahmad, along with his lawyer and aides, had their convictions upheld by the appeals court in Geneva. The charges were related to orchestrating a sham arbitration case a decade ago. While his prison sentence was changed to a suspended sentence, the court imposed a probationary period of three years.
Sheikh Ahmad’s legal troubles extend back to 2013 when he presented video evidence to Kuwaiti authorities alleging a coup plot involving former government officials. This led to a criminal complaint filed in Geneva, which exposed the fraudulent arbitration case presented in a London court.
Additionally, Sheikh Ahmad faced scrutiny during his tenure as a senior FIFA official from 2015 to 2017. He withdrew his candidacy for re-election amid allegations of bribery involving soccer officials in Asia, although he was not indicted in the case.
The suspension of Sheikh Ahmad underscores the IOC’s commitment to upholding integrity and ethical standards within its organization. Despite his significant contributions to Olympic sports, his involvement in criminal activities has tarnished his reputation and led to severe consequences from the IOC.
This decision serves as a reminder that individuals entrusted with leadership roles in international sports organizations must adhere to the highest standards of conduct and transparency. The IOC’s disciplinary actions against Sheikh Ahmad highlight the importance of accountability and the consequences of betraying the trust placed in them by the Olympic movement.
