IOC "Disappointed" By IOA Election Process, Calls Situation "Extremely Regrettable"

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed its disappointment over the manner in which the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) conducted its recent elections. The reaction follows widespread controversy intensified by Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra's letter questioning inconsistencies between the IOA constitution and the electoral rules governing the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections. The legendary shooter also highlighted a lack of response from the governing body's leadership and called for stronger governance, fairness, and integrity across the country's sporting organisations.

Calling the situation "extremely regrettable," an IOC spokesperson stated: "In recent SOM elections, IOA President PT Usha suffered a setback after losing the polls in the women's category, while Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal and former athletes Anju Bobby George, Rani Rampal, and Dola Banerjee were elected. The men's category had already seen four candidates elected unopposed after eight of the 12 contenders withdrew from the race. Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Vijender Singh, along with former table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta, have secured their places as male SOM representatives.

"Her defeat in the SOM elections comes ahead of the December 5 polls to elect the IOA Executive Council for the 2026-2030 term. The SOM representatives will become members of the IOA General Assembly and will be eligible to vote and contest in the December 5 Executive Council elections. One male and one female SOM representative will also secure places on the Executive Council, giving the elected members a direct role in the association's governing structure."

With the IOC closely monitoring the procedural disputes and prominent athletes demanding transparency, the build-up to the December 5 Executive Council elections remains under intense scrutiny. How the IOA addresses these constitutional concerns in the coming weeks will be critical not only for the legitimacy of the upcoming 2026-2030 leadership term, but also for preserving India's standing with the global Olympic body.

With ANI Inputs

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