Mary Kom Steps Down as Chef-de-Mission for Personal Reasons: IOA to Announce Replacement Soon
Boxing legend Mary Kom has resigned as India’s chef-de-mission for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 citing personal reasons. The announcement was made by the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), P.T. Usha, on Friday.
In a letter written by P.T. Usha, Kom was quoted saying, I feel honored to serve my country in every possible way, and mentally I was prepared for it. However, I regret to inform you that I won’t be able to fulfill the responsibility and resign due to personal reasons.
P.T. Usha expressed her sadness about the decision, stating, We are saddened by the resignation of Olympic medalist boxer and head of the IOA Athletes Commission Mary Kom for personal reasons. We respect her decision and her privacy. After discussions within the board, I will announce Mary Kom’s successor shortly.
Mary Kom was appointed as the chef-de-mission by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in March this year. It was understood by the IOA that she would provide guidance to athletes participating in the upcoming events in Paris. Her selection was natural as she was expected to guide athletes in the events scheduled for Paris. While Shiv Keshavan was prepared to work as her deputy.
The IOA stated that Mary Kom’s dedication and her journey towards the Games make her a natural choice to guide our athletes in the Olympics. Keshavan, a former Olympian himself (luge at the Winter Olympics), brings experience and knowledge to the team’s management to provide the necessary technical support.
Sharath Kamal, an experienced table tennis player and the current Commonwealth Games champion, will be the flag bearer for India. At the same time, the name of the female flag bearer will be announced later because many Olympic quotas have not yet been filled among the over 40 Indian athletes who have qualified in various events for the Paris Games.
Mary Kom’s Career:
Started at the age of 18: Mary Kom began her boxing career at the age of 18 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. There, she impressed everyone with her clear boxing technique and secured a place in the 48 KG category finals. Though she lagged behind in the finals, she succeeded in winning a place in people’s hearts.
Took a break after giving birth to twins: Mary Kom became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the Women’s Boxing World Championship organized by the International Boxing Association (IBA). She won the title in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010. After winning the title in 2008, Mary gave birth to twins and took a break from boxing.
Won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics: Mary Kom won the bronze medal in the 51KG category at the 2012 London Olympics. After this, Mary gave birth to her third child and again went back to the ring. In 2018, she won her sixth title at the World Championships in Delhi, where she defeated Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota 5-0.
