The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had threatened to suspend Kuwait on the grounds that their sporting authorities were not sufficiently independent from the Government and said that they wanted the changes imposed by July 31.

 

 

But, as insidethegames revealed yesterday, Kuwait's Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi has promised that they will make the necessary changes.

 

The IOC todsy said: "In view of this firm commitment from the Kuwaiti authorities, and based on the agreement signed on 15 July, the IOC is pleased to announce that the decision to suspend the Kuwait Olympic Committee will therefore not enter into effect on 1 August.

"Nevertheless, the IOC takes this opportunity to point out the next step of the agreement signed on 15 July, which clearly indicates that the whole process of amendments to the sports law will have to be finalised by 31 December 2009 at the latest.

"Therefore, the IOC, together with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), has offered its technical assistance to the Kuwaiti authorities, if necessary, in order to achieve this next step."

 

Kuwait has competed in every Olympics since making its debut at the Mexico City Games in 1968.

 

Their only medal came at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 when Fehaid Al Deehani won a bronze in the double trap shooting.

 

At the Beijing Games last year they were represented by eight athletes.

 

Pere Miró, the Director of the IOC’s Department of National Olympic Committee Relations, said: “We are very pleased that the Kuwaiti authorities are showing their willingness to implement satisfactory measures in order to avoid the suspension of the Kuwait Olympic Committee and Kuwait Olympic Movement.

 

"This is an important step forward."