Paris Olympics 2024: Mary Kom steps down as India’s chef-de-mission

The 2012 London Olympics medallist boxer Mary Kom, on Friday, stepped down from her role as the chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, citing personal reasons.

The six-time world champion reportedly wrote a letter to the Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha asking to be excused from the role.

“I consider it an honour to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it,” read Kom’s letter. “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.”

Kom was named the chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the 2024 Paris Games last month with Winter Olympian Siva Keshavan as her deputy. Along with them, former rifle shooter-turned-coach Gagan Narang, a bronze medallist from the 2012 London Olympics, had been put in charge of India’s shooting contingent that will compete in Paris.

The Indian Olympic Association has accepted Kom’s resignation.

“We are sad that Olympic medal winning boxer and Chairperson of the IOA athletes commission Mary Kom has stepped down citing personal reasons,” Usha said in a statement. “We respect her decision and privacy.”

Kom had competed...

Read more