Olympics: Kenya faces suspension over reform impasse

Kenya faces possible suspension by the International Olympic Committee after the country's national governing body failed to implement reforms demanded after Kenya's embarrassing Rio Games appearance.

The IOC had warned it would take "appropriate action" against Kenya if its National Olympic Committee (NOCK) did not resolve a seven-month impasse and adopt a new constitution paving the way for fresh elections.

The IOC assisted in the drafting of new laws following a national outcry over corruption and the treatment of the Kenya team at last summer's Rio Olympics.

But the new statutes failed to garner enough votes to pass at an NOCK general assembly on Wednesday, attended by officials from the IOC and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

"We are back at the drawing board," said NOCK chairman Kipchoge Keino.

"We are going to continue with the old constitution until we call for elections at the end of our four-year term in June."

That decision will upset the IOC, which involved itself in reforming NOCK after Kenya's sports minister Hassan Wario disbanded the national Olympic body for alleged mismanagement of athletes in Rio, resulting in five officials being charged in court with fraud and theft of team kit.

Earlier this month IOC deputy director general Pere Miro warned that any further delays in approving the new constitution could see Kenya suspended at the next board meeting in Pyeongchang, South Korea on March 16 and 17.