IOA Elects P T Usha as Its New and First Woman President

For the first time in its 95-year history, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has elected a woman to take over its presidency. The legendary sprinter, P T Usha has now taken over the command of IOA.

The 58-year-old Athlete, also known as the Payyoli Express, P T Usha has won several gold medals in Asian Games and secured a fourth-position finisher in the 1984 Olympics 400m hurdles final. 

Earlier, the Athletes Commission of the IOA elected the international medalist Usha as one of the eight Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) and made her an electoral member of the college. 

On 28th November 2022, the Golden Girl added another feather to her cap by becoming the first woman IOA president. Usha retired in 2000 after ruling Indian and Asian athletics for two decades and securing a bagful of international medals. 

Achievements of the Legendary Sprinter

Surely, all of us know that P T Usha sportsperson bagged a lot of gold and other medals but many of you might not know the actual number. Let us tell you about the feathers she carries on her hat:

• 11 Asian Games Medals — This includes four gold medals at the 1986 Seoul Meet in a single edition.
• Astounding 23 Medals — The champ secured 14 gold medals at the Asian Championships from 1983 to 1998.

What Does IOA Do?

Also known as Indian Olympic Committee (IOC), IOA is a body accountable for choosing athletes to represent the country at the Asian Games, Olympics Games, and other international athletic events. The body also looks after the management of Indian teams at such meets. The body also serves as the Indian Commonwealth Games Association. 

List of Former IOA Presidents

Given below is the list of IOA Presidents from 1927 to now:

*Acting President

see also – Droupadi Murmur’s Presidential Victory to be Celebrated at Uparbeda, Odisha

Congratulations Tweets for the Golden Girl

The Golden Girl’s win was followed by various congratulatory wishes from top authorities. Given below are a few instances of the same: 

Tweet by Kiren Rijiju 

The current Union Law Minister and former Union Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju congratulated the sprinter on her election. He said –  

“Congratulations to legendary Golden Girl, Smt. P.T. Usha on becoming the IOA’s President. In his tweet, he also congratulated all the sporting heroes of India on being elected as the office bearers of the prestigious Indian Olympic Association. Further, he said that the nation is proud of them.” 

Congratulations to legendary Golden Girl, Smt. P T Usha on being elected as the President of Indian Olympic Association. I also congratulate all the sporting heroes of our country on becoming the office bearers of the prestigious IOA! Nation is proud of them ! pic.twitter.com/LSHHdmMy9H

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 27, 2022

Retweet by the Sports Authority of India

Retweeting the tweet of Mr Rijiju, the SAI (Sports Authority of India) said — 

“The star sprinter Usha is one of the greatest athletes who ever came out of India and got seven silvers and four gold medals at the Asian Games. At the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics, she missed out on a podium finish in the 400m hurdles of women by just 1/100th of a second. Usha still holds a national record for her timing of 55.42s in Los Angeles.”