Mary Kom steps down as ChefdeMission for Paris Games
Sports Bureau
Olympic bronze medalist and six times World champion boxer M.C. Mary Kom on Friday stepped down as the ChefdeMission for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics citing “personal reasons”. A replacement is expected to be named by the IOA soon.
Thanking the Indian Olympic Association for placing its faith in her, Mary admitted it was embarrassing but was left with no choice.
Embarrassing
“I consider it an honour to serve my country in every way possible and I was mentally prepared for it. However, I regret that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility and would like to resign, owing to personal reasons. It is embarrassing to retreat from a commitment, which I seldom do, but I am left with no choice,” Mary wrote in her letter to IOA president P.T. Usha. Usha confirmed receiving Mary’s letter.
Mary, who is also the chairperson of the IOA’s Athletes Commission, was named as the ChefdeMission three weeks back and had acknowledged and accepted the same.
“We are sad that Olympic medal winning boxer and Chairperson of the IOA Athletes Commission Mary Kom has stepped down citing personal reasons. We respect her decision and her privacy. I shall make appropriate consultations and soon make an announcement about the replacement for Mary Kom,” Usha said in a statement, adding she had also spoken to Mary about her decision.
“I completely understand her request and respect her decision. I have also conveyed to her that she will always have my own support and that of IOA. I also request everyone to respect the legendary boxer’s privacy,” she added.
Press Trust of India
India continued its dismal show in the crucial tour Down Under, losing 13 against Australia to suffer its fourth consecutive defeat in the fivematch men’s hockey Test series, here on Friday.
Contrary to the final result, it was a muchimproved performance from the Indians but the Kookaburras were simply too strong.
All four goals in the match, which started 40 minutes late due to lightning, came from penalty corners.
India took the lead in the 12th minute through skipper Harmanpreet
Singh but Jeremy Hayward’s (19th, 47th) brace and Jack Welch (54th) strike handed Australia yet another win in the series.
India was decimated 15 in the opening Test, while it lost the second and third Tests 24 and 12 respectively.
India had its chances as well in the form of three penalty corners in the last four minutes but wasted the opportunities.
The final Test of the series will be played on Saturday.
The result: Australia 3 (Jeremy Hayward 19 & 47, Jack Welch 54) bt India 1 (Harmanpreet Singh 12).