The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had suspended the IOA in December 2012 because they refused to recognise elections which saw officials linked with corruption elected.

The IOA finally bowed to pressure after IOC President Thomas Bach threatened them with expulsion but the new elections were not held until on February 9, two days after the start of Sochi 2014.

That meant the three Indians who qualified for these Games had to compete under the banner of "Independent Olympic Athletes" and were unable to march behind the country's own flag at the Opening Ceremony. 

But, two days after the election of Ramachandran, who is also the head of the World Squash Federation, the IOC held an emergency meeting of its ruling Executive Board to lift the ban.

That led to today's special 45-minute ceremony at the Olympic Village in the mountain cluster where the flag was raised and the national anthem played.

It was attended by Ramachandran and the three athletes, luger Shiva Keshavan, Alpine skier Himanshu Thakur and cross country skier Nadeem, as well as officials from the IOC led by Executive Board member Patrick Hickey. 

IOA President Narayna Ramachandran and IOC Executive Board member Patrick Hickey arrive for the Indian flag raising ceremony at the mountain Olympic Village ©AFP/Getty Images

Ramachandran was indebted to Bach. 

"Very, very emotional," he said.

"For us after having been out of the IOC and the Olympic Movement for 15 months to come back to it and to come back to it within two days of our elections, I just couldn't believe it.

"When the IOC lifted our ban in the midst of an Olympic event, it's the first time it's happened and I am truly grateful to the IOC President Thomas Bach ... for having lifted the ban within two days."

Bach did not attend the ceremony but showed his support for India by visiting the athletes during breakfast.

"He interacted with us and it was a nice feeling," said Roshan Lal Thakur, secretary general of the Winter Games Federation of India. 

"We were not allowed to fly the tri-colour and wear any dress on which is written India when the Games began due to IOA's suspension but after the suspension was lifted, we can now proudly fly our national flag and wear dresses with India written on them."

Indian athletes celebrate being able to display their flag following the lifting of ban on the IOA ©AFP/Getty Images

Sadly for Keshavan the lifting of the ban has come too late.

He has already competed in his event and is due to return home tomorrow so will miss the opportunity to march in the Closing Ceremony on February 23 when India's flag will join the parade of nations.

"All the Indians are very disappointed because you know we have had so much support from our own country, some people have come from so far...and not to see the flag there, just because some people put their personal interest before [the athletes] was very disappointing," said Keshavan.

"But now it's time for a fresh start and I hope there is better days to come for winter sports."

Keshavan was supported by Ramachandran, who claimed he wanted to put the suspension behind the IOA.

"I don't look into the past," he said.

"I only look for the future."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2014: Indian athletes at Sochi 2014 able to compete under own flag after Olympic suspension lifted
February 2014: World Squash chief Ramachandran elected President of suspended Indian Olympic Association
January 2014: World Squash chief set to be new President of Indian Olympic Association
January 2014: Indian athletes to compete under Olympic flag at Sochi 2014
December 2013: India set to be denied chance to appear under own flag at Sochi 2014