145;Mistake146; may cost relay team Olympic spot

Although the AGPs come under the Area Permit Meet APM which are recognised by the international body, the confusion has arisen because of the Asian Athletics Association AAA8217;s failure to inform the parent body about holding relay events before the deadline.

An IAAF official in the competition department had been quoted as saying in a national daily that: 8220;In the case of one-day meetings, only those whose meeting organisers informed the IAAF in writing within the stipulated deadlines of their intention to stage the relays short and long are included in the list. The meetings in Korat and Bangkok did not provide this information and, therefore, are not on the list. This principle has been applied throughout the year and the Area Associations are aware of this position.8221;

On Thursday, neither secretary-cum-treasurer of the AAA Maurice R Nicholas nor President Suresh Kalmadi were available for comments on the issue. However, official of the Athletics Federation of India AFI sounded optimistic. 8220;There was some communication gap. And the Asian body has had a discussion with the International Association of Athletics Federation IAAF. Hopefully, it will be sorted out shortly,8221; said AFI secretary Lalit Bhanot.

But the IAAF official has made it clear that the results will not be recognised. And, with the deadline for qualification being July 16, there are no more competitions that have relay as an event recognised by the IAAF.