Moscow, Russia: The 18th ANOC General Assembly has issued an official statement condemning Ecuador’s Ministry of Sports for interfering with the autonomy of its National Olympic Committee. “The ANOC General Assembly firmly condemns the intervention of government authorities in Ecuador in the internal operation and election process of national sports federations, which violates the principle of autonomy of the Olympic Movement,” the statement says.

“In close coordination with the IOC and International Federations concerned, the ANOC General Assembly calls on the Government authorities to respect the autonomy of the national sports organisations belonging to the Olympic Movement which must be free from any political interference.”

To tackle such an issue, ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah proposed a solution which was passed by the ANOC General Assembly.

ANOC will first communicate with the IOC, then pass all the relevant information to the ANOC Executive Council members for discussion at an Ex-Co meeting. The Executive Council will attempt to solve the issue, and only refer it to the General Assembly if necessary.