Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Delhi HC Halts Selection of Indian Athletes for 2026 Winter Olympics
The Delhi High Court has stopped the selection of two Indian athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
A skier named Manjeet filed a petition saying he was unfairly left out despite being ranked higher.
He also said there were problems with how the selection committee was chosen and that there might be conflicts of interest.
The court said the selection will wait until the case is decided.
The two athletes initially chosen are Arif Khan and Stanzin Lundup.
The court wants more details about how the quotas were earned and how the athletes were selected.
The next hearing is on January 27.
Delhi High Court has put on hold the selection of two Indian athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
Manjeet, a cross-country skier, filed a petition challenging the selection of Stanzin Lundup, alleging procedural lapses and conflicts of interest.
Arif Khan, an alpine skier, was selected based on his world ranking and is the only Indian to have competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The court noted that the selection of athletes will be subject to the outcome of the petition.
The Sports Ministry could not independently verify how India secured the quota in cross-country skiing and sought clarification from the IOA.
- Who
- Manjeet (petitioner), Stanzin Lundup, Arif Khan, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Delhi High Court
- What
- Delhi High Court has put on hold the selection of two Indian athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympics due to a petition challenging the selection process
- When
- The next hearing is scheduled for January 27
- Where
- Delhi High Court, New Delhi
- Why
- Manjeet alleges procedural lapses and conflicts of interest in the selection process by the IOA's ad-hoc committee
- Event
- 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy
- Athletes Involved
- Arif Khan, Stanzin Lundup, Manjeet
- Quotas Earned
- 2
- Court Involved
- Delhi High Court
- Next Hearing
- January 27
- Conflict of Interest Alleged
- Arif Mohd. Khan's involvement in selection committee
- Qualification System
- International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) rankings