This has been rejected by the IOC, however, who insisted to insidethegames that Asia is well represented.

Jegathesan, a Malaysian doctor and a three-time Olympic sprinter, claimed at today's OCA General Assembly that changes this year means the OCA no longer has any representation in the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission.

"It is with great reluctance that I report that the very close working relationship we have had with the IOC Medical Commission came to an unceremonious end this year together with the removal of the chairman together with the chairs of the other region's medical commission from the health subcommittee of the Commission," he announced.

"And the non-continuance of them as members of Olympic Games-time Medical Commission.

"This resulted in Asia not being represented in any of the IOC's working groups at the Olympics."

Jegathesan, who competed at Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968 and ran a 200 metres best time of 20.92sec told insidethegames afterwards that the breakdown in communications would impair their ability of OCA member nations to understand medical issues.

This, though, has been denied by the IOC who said that is is "simply not correct" to claim Asia have no representatives.

"There were three Asian members of the Medical and Scientific Commission Games Group in Rio [out of a total of 15] - Dr Guoping Li from China, who was previously chief medical officer of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Dr Young-Hee Lee, the chief medical officer for Pyeongchang 2018, and Dr Takao Akama, chief medical officer for Tokyo 2020," a spokesperson told insidethegames.

"So to say no representatives from Asia is simply not correct.

"The Games Group is now made up of specific medical experts - dental, pharmacy, emergency medical, physio, public health, sport medicine, and anti-doping laboratory - and the next two editions of the Games - both in Asia.

"The IOC works with the Continental Associations through Olympic solidarity and the five continental chairs are always invited as guests of the IOC to the International Federation Medical Commission chairs meeting.

"The next is in Monaco in March 2017. 

"This is a very important and useful meeting."

Jegathesan has since told insidethegames that while he referred to "Asia", he meant the "Olympic Council of Asia" more specifically.

None of the three representatives have any link to the OCA, he believes, therefore their presence does not help relations with the continental body.

There is a similar lack of representation with other continental bodies, with no Africans or Oceanians on the panel.

Changes were made earlier this year without consultation or detailed explanations.

OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said that he had already raised the issue with the IOC and hopes a solution will be found soon.