Chinese companies have faced a backlash in India since 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese forces in a Himalayan border dispute last year.

The IOA at that time decided to review their tie-up with Li-Ning, which was due to expire after the Tokyo Games.

They unveiled an Olympic kit made by the Chinese company just six days ago but said late on Tuesday they had ended the association out of respect for the “sentiments of the people of the country”.

“We are aware of the emotions of our fans and we… have decided that we will withdraw from our existing contract with an apparel sponsor,” IOA President Narinder Batra and Secretary-General Rajeev Mehta said in a statement.

“Our athletes, coaches and support staff will wear unbranded apparel.”

Li-Ning’s India representatives were not immediately available for comments.

The IOA said they did not want the issue of who made the uniforms to be a distraction.

“We would like our athletes to be able to train and compete without having to answer questions about the apparel brand,” they added.

“As it is, they have all been challenged by the pandemic over the past year and a quarter and we want them to be not distracted.”