Indian Olympic Association

Why is in news? PT Usha set to become first woman President of IOA

The legendary PT Usha is set to become the first woman President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as she emerged as the lone candidate for the top post for the December 10 elections.

The 58-year-old Usha, a multiple Asian Games gold medallist and a fourth-place finisher at the 1984 Olympics 400m hurdles final, filed her nomination papers for the top job, along with 14 others from her team for the various posts.

Usha will also become the first Olympian and first international medallist to head the IOA in its 95-year-old history.

It will also add another feather to her cap after dominating Indian and Asian athletics for two decades before retiring in 2000 with a bagful of international medals.

Ajay Patel of the National Rifle Association of India is set to be the Senior Vice-President as he is also the lone candidate for the post.

P.T Usha:

Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha (born 27 June 1964) is a retired Indian track and field athlete.

She was born in Kozhikode, Kerala.

She has been associated with Indian athletics since 1979. She has won 4 Asian gold medals and 7 Silver medals.

She is often called the "Queen of Indian track and field".

On 6 July 2022, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

She was awarded with Arjuna award for Athletics and Padma Sri.

Book: Golden Girl: The Autobiography of P.T. Usha

Indian Olympic Association:

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) or Indian Olympic Committee (IOC) is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at these events.

It plays with the name of Team India.

It also acts as the Indian Commonwealth Games Association, responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Commonwealth Games.

Headquarter: New Delhi