Coach says JAISHA said NO to personalised refreshment

The controversy stoked by marathon runner O P Jaisha took an interesting turn with her personal coach Nikolai Snesarev on Thursday asserting that she herself had said no when asked by him if she would need personalised refreshment during the race in the Rio Olympics.

Belarusian Nikolai said he had told the Indian athletics officials after "clarifying" from her that she will not need personalised refreshment during the race.

National record holder Jaisha had alleged that Athletics Federation of India officials did not arrange for water and energy drinks during the race under scorching heat and due to which she nearly died while running, a claim denied by the AFI.

Nikolai said that Jaisha had never used personalised drinks during marathon competitions and she said a clear no when asked by him whether she would need them in Rio.

"But as I wanted clarify from Jaisha, I asked her whether she will need individual drinks or run with normal water in Rio. She said she will run only with normal water provided by the organisers," he said.

Jaisha, who fainted at the finish line after completing the race in 89th position, had alleged that there was no water, recovery drinks and refreshment available for her and only once in 8km did she got water.

Latest reports said that the 33-year-old Kerala athlete, who won a silver medal in 1500m race in the 2014 Asian Games, has put the blame on Nikolai, saying that he must have told the AFI officials that she will need personalised refreshment.

The second Indian in the fray in that marathon race, Kavita Raut had confirmed that she was asked by the AFI officials if she would need personalised refreshments to which she also had said no since she had never used them earlier in competitions.

Asked if there was sufficient water arranged by the Rio race organisers, Nikolai hinted that it was not so.