DOT Desk: PT Usha on Saturday was officially elected as the first woman president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) during the governing body’s polls, ushering in a new era in country’s sports administration. The 58-year-old Usha, a multiple Asian Games gold medallist and fourth place finisher in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 400m hurdles final, was declared elected unopposed for the top post in the polls, reports Daily Sun.
The elections were held under the supervision of Supreme Court-appointed retired SC judge L Nageswara Rao.The election of Usha to the top job marked an end to the long drawn crisis in the faction-ridden IOA, which was warned of a possible suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if elections are not held this month.
The polls were originally due to be held in December 2021.
Usha’s anointment to the top post was a forgone conclusion late last month after she emerged as the lone candidate for the top post.