Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, a prominent Kuwaiti politician and sports official, has been banned from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for three years for attempting to influence Olympic elections.
The IOC Ethics Commission found that Sheikh Ahmad had attempted to influence the election of the president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in 2018. He was found to have offered financial support to certain candidates in exchange for their support.
The IOC Ethics Commission concluded that Sheikh Ahmad had violated the Olympic Charter and the IOC Code of Ethics. As a result, he was banned from all IOC activities for three years and fined $500,000.
The ban is a major blow to Sheikh Ahmad, who has been a prominent figure in international sports for decades. He has served as the president of the Olympic Council of Asia since 1991 and was a member of the IOC Executive Board from 2012 to 2020.
The ban is also a setback for Kuwait, which has long been a major player in international sports. Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council and has hosted several international sporting events, including the Asian Games in 2006 and the World Cup in 2022.
The IOC’s decision to ban Sheikh Ahmad sends a clear message that attempts to influence Olympic elections will not be tolerated. It also serves as a reminder that all members of the Olympic movement must adhere to the highest ethical standards.
