By Xinhua
Guatemala City : Panama's National Olympic Committee (NOC) has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee due to a lengthy legal dispute over control of the local federation.
The IOC executive board announced Sunday it had appointed IOC member Mario Vazquez Rana of Mexico to carry out a probe, which could last several months.
Panama's athletes will be able to compete under the flag of the Pan American Sports Organisation until the issue is resolved.
Panama's government recognises Miguel Vanegas as head of the NOC but the organisation itself has remained in the hands of a rival group led by Meliton Sanchez until he resigned in January and was replaced by Roger Moscote.
A court threw out Sanchez's election in 2002 and ordered new elections. At least two rival groups held votes last year with one choosing Vanegas and the other choosing Sanchez.