Flying Angel PT Usha became the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association

Legendary athlete PT Usha has been elected as the President of the Indian Olympic Association. She was the only contender for this post. In such a situation it was considered certain that she would become the president. The elections were to be held on December 10. But as there was no other candidate in the opposition, she got the opportunity to become the first woman president of the IOA.

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Earlier PT Usha had said that she is filing a nomination for the post. On Saturday, PT Usha tweeted, "With the warm support of my fellow athletes and National Federations, I am humbled and honoured to accept and file for the nomination of the president of IOA!"

PT Usha 1st Woman President Of the Indian Olympic Association

Along with PT Usha, 14 others from her team also filed nomination papers for various posts. The deadline for filing nomination papers for the IOA elections ended on Sunday. PT Usha, popularly known as 'Payyoli Express', is being considered as the BJP candidate. In these elections, there will be competition for the post of Vice President (Women), Joint Secretary (Women). Twelve candidates are in the fray for four members of the executive council.

The IOA will have a President, a Senior Vice President, two Vice Presidents (one male and one female), one Treasurer, two Joint Secretaries (one male and one female), six other Executive Council members up for election. Out of which two (one male and one female) will be from the elected 'SOM'. Two members (one male and one female) of the Executive Council shall be representatives of the Athletes' Commission.

The BJP had nominated PT Usha as a Rajya Sabha member in July 2022. IOA election officer Umesh Sinha said that no one filed the nominations on Friday and Saturday. But 24 candidates filed nominations for various posts on Sunday.

Also read: Indian women athletes at Olympics for most times

Moreover, Star sprinter PT Usha is one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced. She has won four gold medals and seven silver medals in the Asian Games. She missed a podium finish by 1/100th of a second in the women's 400 meters hurdles at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. Her time of 55.42 seconds in Los Angeles still stands as a national record.