IOC urges Pakistan to resolve issues before London

The International Olympic Committee has urged Pakistan to resolve an internal dispute between the government-backed sports board and the Pakistan Olympic Association before the London Games.

POA President Arif Hasan told The Associated Press in an email on Wednesday that a ''fruitful'' meeting took place between officials of Pakistan Sports Board, the POA and the IOC in Lausanne.

The IOC invited officials to Lausanne on Monday for a meeting to discuss the issues.

The IOC charter discourages government interference in the affairs of a National Olympic Committee. Sanctions can include being banned from Olympics.

Hasan, a retired army general, was elected as POA president for the third time in February, defying a new government policy that imposes a two-term limit for such positions in all national sports federations.

''During this meeting, the IOC insisted on the fact that the autonomy of the Olympic and sports movement in Pakistan needed to be respected in accordance with the Olympic Charter and asked the different parties to resolve the current issues before the London Games,'' Hasan said. ''The IOC's position will now be relayed to the Pakistani sports authorities with the hope that a solution between the sports movement and the government authorities can be found in due course.''

Pakistan's best chance of winning a medal in London is in field hockey.