By Nick Butler in Lausanne

Gambia have avoided suspension from the IOC ©GNOCGambia have avoided suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the re-opening of their National Olympic Committee offices in Bakau.


The decision, made this morning on the second day of the IOC Executive Board meeting in Montreux, comes after a lengthy period of conflict and negotiation between the Gambian National Olympic Committee (GNOC) and the Government of the West African country, with the IOC acting as intermediaries.

GNOC President Momodou Dibba revealed the Olympic House headquarters is being re-opened "out of the goodwill of the Government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports".

He claimed they are now working with the Sports Ministry and Government in ensuring sport is developed in the country.

Following its forced closure in April, Olympic House was re-opened briefly in August but the Government continued to control who was allowed to enter the building, leading to IOC autonomy tsar Patrick Hickey ordering them to reopen the House, revoke a travel ban on GNOC staff, and formally recognise Dibba as GNOC President.

After a deadline of October 13 passed without the situation being resolved, a suspension was thought the most likely outcome, with a letter from leading Gambian official Johnny Gomez, addressed to IOC President Thomas Bach but seen by insidethegames, strongly criticising a "dictatorial" IOC approach.

But, following action having been taken, the IOC have decided to lift the threat, although they will continue to keep a close eye on the situation. 

The dispute centred around the forced closure of the GNOC headquarters, which have now been re-opened ©GNOCThe dispute centred around the forced closure of the GNOC headquarters, which have now been re-opened ©GNOC



"The Board heard a report yesterday evening that GNOC was again able to access its headquarters," IOC Communications Director Mark Adams told insidethegames today.

"And the Government has agreed to abide by the agreements reached in Lausanne one month ago.

"This is a positive development but the IOC will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Gambia will now be keen to put the problems behind them and focus on preparing for Rio 2016, where they will strive to send a larger team than the one at London 2012, where only sprinters Suwaibou Sanneh and Saruba Colley competed.