Mexico’s participation in next year’s Olympics could be in jeopardy because of a conflict between the government and national sports federations.
The sports bodies are facing financial inspections by a national government agency, which is questioning how funds are being spent.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) opposes political interference in national sports bodies. Last month, it suspended Kuwait’s national Olympic committee over government interference, leaving the country’s athletes in limbo for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“It would be a tragedy if Mexico does not participate in the Olympics, although I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Mexican National Olympic Committee president Carlos Padilla Becerra said. “I’m sure this will not happen. Higher-ranking national officials will not prohibit our athletes from competing.”
The Rio Olympics open on Aug. 5 next year and close on Aug. 21.
Mexican National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports director Alfredo Castillo has been critical of the Olympic Charter, which among many other things, spells out the non-interference rules.
“The Olympic Charter is the best invention that has been created to avoid monitoring of how public money is spent and what it yields,” Castillo said.
Castillo has focused on the national federations that run archery, boxing and basketball, and has looked into others.
Padilla said he met with Castillo, but failed to find an agreement. He said he subsequently traveled to Switzerland and met recently with IOC president Thomas Bach. He said he showed Bach documents that he said showed government interference.
“For me, the unconditional respect of the Olympic Charter is important,” Padilla said. “All I did was make the facts known to the IOC.”
The IOC did not immediately respond to an e-mail from reporters.
In a statement, Castillo said he would not permit outside forces to meddle in Mexican affairs.
“What’s at stake is not the Olympics, but rather the future of sports in the country,” said Castillo, who was appointed earlier this year by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
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