Is spondylitis really keeping Ajit Pal Singh away from the London Games?

LONDON: What is the mystery regarding Ajit Pal Singh, the Indian Olympic Association's compromise candidate for India's chef-de-mission to the Games? PK Muralidharan Raja came here as the deputy chef de mission, but has been the acting head.
So what has kept the former Indian hockey captain away from the Games? "He is suffering from an acute case of spondylitis," said Raja.
That is a straightforward answer, but his absence has led to some speculation among mediapersons. Ajit Pal was picked after there was a deadlock over Suresh Kalmadi and Randhir Singh's candidates – Tarlochan Singh and Baishya.