Indian athletes hope IOC ban would bring change

Khan, who won gold at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games in men's double trap pair, said it seemed like the IOC's move was the last resort.

"Only a drastic step like this could have shaken the ailing system. It's time for taking the corrective measures. Maybe you won't see overnight changes but I expect some positive developments in the coming months."

Shooter Abhinav Bindra, who won India's first individual Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, was also left hoping the ban could bring about a better governing body to run sports in the world's second most populous nation.

Bindra is one of the few Indian athletes to consistently question India's sports administrators.

"Bye Bye IOA, hope to see u again soon, hopefully cleaner!" he said on his Twitter feed.

The IOC's move to ban the Indian body, which has been plagued by in-fighting and criticised for lacking transparency, also found favour outside India's sporting community.

Best-selling Indian author Chetan Bhagat suggested even more drastic measures were in order.

"As an Indian, I am happy that the IOA has been suspended. Some of our authorities change only when thoroughly shamed," he Tweeted.

"Dear IOC, you have suspended the IOA. Now if only you could round up the officials, take a javelin and ... oh well, one step at a time."

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