IOC exonerates Ashwini Kumar

Ram Ruhee of Mauritius and Henry Edmund Olefemi Adefope of Nigeria were also cleared.

The commission has recommended the expulsion of Paul Wallwork of Samoa. It also recommended warnings be issued to nine members, including executive board member Kim Un-Yong of South Korea.

Kim has often been tipped as a possible successor to IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Ashwini relieved: In a statement faxed to The Indian Express, from Lausanne Switzerland, Kumar said, quot;It was with considerable relief I received president Samaranch8217;s letter clearing my name completely and honorably of any wrongdoing which the Salt Lake City EthicsBoard had charged me with.quot;

Ashwini said quot;the dark night is overquot;.

KIM not to contest: Meanwhile, Kim said in Seoul he would not contest the serious warning recommended by IOC investigators. Kim barely escaped expulsion when IOC investigators said yesterday, quot;they recommended severe censure against him.quot;

quot;There is no regulation about severe censure8217; in the IOC charter. I understand I will get a very serious warning,quot; Kim told Associated Press.before leaving for a special IOC general assembly in Lausanne, Switzerland.