Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah: IOC Suspends Former Olympic Leader For 15 Years

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, once a prominent figure in Olympic circles, faced a 15-year suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the confirmation of his forgery conviction by a Swiss criminal appeals court earlier this year.

The decision to suspend Sheikh Ahmad, driven by the severity of the forgery charges and the breach of his IOC Member’s oath, was ratified by the IOC's executive board based on a recommendation from its ethics commission.

This latest suspension commences from the date of his previous ban, a three-year sanction imposed for unethical conduct during an Olympic Council of Asia election in July 2020. Sheikh Ahmad, aged 61, will see the suspension through until he is 74, effectively putting an end to his IOC career.

The ruling stated that during this period, Sheikh Ahmad would not meet the ethical standards required for re-election, signaling the conclusion of his tenure within the IOC.

A significant figure within Olympic circles, Sheikh Ahmad previously led the Olympic Council of Asia and joined the IOC in 1992. Known for his close alliance with IOC president Thomas Bach, his indictment in Geneva in 2018 led to his voluntary suspension as an IOC member and his resignation from ANOC leadership.

In January of this year, Sheikh Ahmad's conviction for orchestrating a sham arbitration case a decade ago was upheld. While his prison sentence was commuted to a suspended sentence, the ruling marked a significant blow to his reputation.

This legal saga traces back to 2013 when Sheikh Ahmad presented video evidence to Kuwaiti authorities alleging a coup plot involving high-ranking officials. However, subsequent investigations revealed the arbitration case to be fabricated, leading to criminal complaints and legal proceedings.

While once a senior FIFA official until his withdrawal amidst bribery allegations, Sheikh Ahmad's legacy now faces tarnish amidst legal woes and Olympic expulsion.

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