OCA Reminds Feds to Respect Rights of Athletes

(ATR) Federations violating the Olympic Charter forced athletes to withdraw from the Asian Games, organizers allege.

The Qatari women’s basketball team forfeited a match on Wednesday when one player refused to remove her hijab, and six tennis players were forced to withdraw and threatened with three-year competition bans and $100,000 fines.

In a statement, the Olympic Council of Asia said the blame for those incidents lay at the feet of the international federations, FIBA for basketball and ITF for tennis. Both federations violated the Olympic Charter, OCA said "as they prevented athletes from representing their flag at international events."

"Every athlete has the right to represent their country’s flag without discrimination or without the threat of a financial penalty," OCA director general Husain Al-Musallam said in a statement.

"This information came to us at a late stage, on September 22, 2014, after the Asian Games had started, but the Asian sports federations concerned - FIBA Asia and the Asian Tennis Federation - have been engaged with their international federations - FIBA and ITF - since 2008 for the preparation of the games," he added.

"The authorities of both federations have the duty to protect their athletes and allow them to exercise their right of freedom of choice with dignity."

Last week, FIBA approved regulations that would allow for religious head coverings to be worn under certain circumstances.

No immediate reaction was available from FIBA or ITF.

Written by Ed Hula III

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