Indian runner slams officials for lack of water

Hero’s welcome for Indonesian gold medallists

NEW DELHI, Aug 23, (AFP): India ordered an inquiry Tuesday after an athlete said national officials failed to give her water during the Olympic marathon leading her to collapse, heaping further embarrassment following a poor showing in Rio.

Runner OP Jaisha, 33, told media she collapsed after the women’s marathon because Indian officials failed to provide refreshments at designated country stations during the race.

“I could have died there ... Only once in 8 kms did we get water (from the Rio organisers) which did not help at all,” Press Trust of India quoted her as saying.

“All the countries had their stalls at every 2 kms but our country’s stall was empty,” she said.

The allegations prompted the sports minister Tuesday to announce an investigation.

“Sports minister constitutes two-member committee to inquire into the allegations of marathon runner O.P. Jaisha,” a statement issued by Sports Minister Vijay Goel’s office said.

A string of below-par performances saw India win just two medals — a silver and a bronze — at the Rio Games, fewer than the six clinched during their bestever

Indonesia’s badminton mixed doubles gold medallists Liliyana Natsir (left), and Tontowi Ahmad (right), hold their medals prior to a parade from the SukarnoHatta airport in Tangerang, outskirts of Jakarta on Aug 23. (AFP)