It 's the first time a ban of a national committee has been lifted during an an Olympic Games . The reinstatement raises to 89 the number of countries and territories participating in the Sochi Games . `` It is the first time in Olympic history that a suspension of an NOC ( National Olympic Committee ) has been lifted during an Olympic Games , '' the IOC said in a statement Tuesday . The IOC suspended Sochi in 2012 over the election of a tainted official to a top post . IOC has now held new elections that the IOC has approved . Indian athletes will now be able to walk behind the national flag at IOC 's closing ceremony .
It 's the first time a ban of a national committee has been lifted during an an Olympic Games . The IOC suspended Sochi in 2012 over the election of a tainted official to a top post . IOC has now held new elections that the IOC has approved . Indian athletes will now be able to walk behind the national flag at IOC 's closing ceremony .