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 e-mail that a “fruitful” meeting took place between officials of Pakistan Sports Board, POA, and the IOC in Lausanne. The IOC summoned officials to Lausanne to discuss differences between Pakistan sports bodies. 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. The IOC charter discourages government interference in the affairs of a National Olympic Committee. Sanctions can include being banned from Olympics.