Australian authorities have banned two top Olympic officials from entering the country. Gafur Rakhimov, a powerful boxing figure and member of the Uzbekistan National Olympic Committee, and an unnamed International Federation member were stopped entering the country by immigration officials.

The ban has upset the International Olympic Committee and they have demanded an explanation from Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who backed the decision yesterday.

Rakhimov, a senior official with the International Amateur Boxing Federation and a vice-president of the Asian Olympic Council, has reportedly been investigated by the FBI over links to Russian organised crime.