Mary Kom steps down as India’s Chef de Mission for Paris Olympics because of ‘problems that have crippled me partly’

Citing ‘problems’ that have ‘partly crippled’ her, Mary Kom resigned as the Chef de Mission of India’s contingent on Friday. Her decision comes weeks after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chose the boxing legend for the post.

In a letter to IOA President PT Usha, the Union Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India, the London Olympics bronze medallist said: “It is embarrassing for me to retreat from a pronounced commitment, which I seldom do, but I am left with no choice.”

The IOA, on March 21, announced contingent officials for the Paris Olympics, which begin on July 26. While Mary was chosen as the chef de mission, winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan was named her deputy.

While accepting her resignation, Usha said in a statement that the IOA would ‘respect her decision and her privacy’. “I shall make the appropriate consultations and soon make an announcement about the replacement for Mary Kom,” Usha added.

Mary’s decision leaves the IOA in a precarious position. While a majority of countries named their contingent leaders well in advance, India – in the absence of a formal appointment – has been represented in the Chef de Mission meetings by individuals with no prior Olympic experience.

Now, with a little more than 100 days left for the Opening Ceremony, the IOA will have to restart the whole process.

Sources said Mary had initially been reluctant to take up the role but accepted after being convinced by Usha and government officials. In her letter, Mary expressed her ‘heartfelt gratitude’ for putting faith in her. ”I considered it an honour to serve my country in every way possible and I was mentally prepared for it.”

She added: “However, I regret to inform you that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility conferred on me as Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympics 2024, and would like to resign from the same, reasoning from the problems that have crippled me partly.”

Mary said she searched for ‘several alternative means to cover my place’. “But it is getting tougher for me to leave my family behind at this point, even for a short while. My presence is much needed here,” she said. “Having stated the abovementioned facts, though I am unable to put them transparently and vividly, I humbly request you take into consideration my plea to step down as Chef de Mission for the 2024 Paris Olympics.”

Chef de Mission is the most important administrative member of a contingent for a multi-discipline event. The CDM is responsible for ensuring the welfare of the athletes, liaising with the organising committee on a range of issues and being ready for fire-fighting if any controversy erupts.

Mary competed at the Tokyo Olympics, where she lost in the round of 16. The 41-year-old isn’t eligible in Olympic-style boxing any longer because of the rules that bar anyone aged 40 and above from competing.

Apart from Mary and Keshavan, the IOA made London Olympics bronze medallist Gagan Narang, also an IOA vice-president, in charge of ‘overseeing the shooting village operations’. Unlike most sports that will be held in Paris and its suburbs, shooting will be hosted in Chateauroux, a town roughly 300 km away.

Renowned sports medicine expert Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala has been appointed as the chief medical officer.

Table tennis star Sharath Kamal, who will head into his sixth Olympics, was named as the male flag-bearer, with a woman flag-bearer – as mandated by the International Olympic Committee – expected to be announced in the coming days.

Mary said despite stepping down as the Chef de Mission, she will be ‘there to cheer on my country and the athletes.’

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