New Delhi, India, December 20, 2022: The International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia have stated that they are looking forward to “establishing a fruitful collaboration” with the newly-elected body of the Indian Olympic Association following its recent elections.
The two governing bodies in giving their stamp of approval also congratulated the IOA President P.T. Usha through a letter dated December 16.
“We took note of the outcomes of the IOA elections and wish to extend our sincerest congratulations to you on your election as President of the Indian Olympic Association and to all Executive Committee members elected on this occasion,” the letter said.
The letter was jointly issued by OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam, and James Macleod, Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations of IOC.
Usha, 58, was officially elected to the top post during the polls on December 10, bringing an end to the long-drawn crisis in the faction-ridden IOA.
The IOC, in September, had directed the IOA to hold elections by December or face a ban.
“As the election process was completed in accordance with the decisions taken by the IOC Executive Board and the agreed roadmap, we are pleased to confirm that, as far as the IOC and the OCA are concerned, the situation is now normalised and we can resume our regular activities with the IOA,” the letter said.
“We look forward to establishing a fruitful collaboration with you and the newly-elected IOA leadership and to working closely together to support and assist the IOA in performing its mission and daily activities in the interests of the Olympic Movement and the athletes in India, in accordance with the Olympic Charter.”
The legendary 400m runner Usha, a multi-gold medallist at the Asian Games, is the first Olympian and first international medallist to head the IOA in its 95-year-old history.
Source: PTI