Sochi Winter Olympics 2014: Indian athletes forced to march under IOC flag at opening ceremony

Sochi (Russia): India faced the ignominy of witnessing three of its athletes march without the national flag during the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics Friday night.

With the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to ethical and administrative reasons, luger Shiva Keshavan, Alpine skier Himanshu Thakur and cross-country skier Nadeem Iqbal had to walk behind the IOC flag.

The Indian athletes will compete under the 'independent athletes' category and will be represented under the Olympic flag.

It is seen as an embarrasing situation for India as billions of people all over the world tuned in to witness the opening ceremony that was held at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.

The IOA was suspended by the IOC in December, 2012 due to its failure to comply with the Olympic charter. It has resulted in Indian athletes, including boxers, participating in events under the flag of world body.