The first ever crown of presidentship to a woman athlete in the IOA history of 95 years has gone to an outstanding veteran athlete P. T. Usha . 58 years old P. T. Usha , popularly known as the “Queen of the Tracks”, having won 4 Asian Gold medals and 7 Silver medals was elected unopposed to the said prestigious post. The Union Minister of law and sports Kiren Rijuju has in a tweet congratulated Usha on her elevation as president of IOA. The minister tweeted : Congratulations to legendary Golden girl Smt. P. T. Usha on being elected as the President of Indian Olympic Association. I also congratulate all the sporting heroes of our country on becoming the office bearers of the prestigious IOA ! NATION IS PROUD OF THEM ! tweeted Kiran Rijuju.
Internationally popular woman athlete having brought laurels to India PT Usha on Sunday had filed her nomination papers for the post of President of Indian Olympics Association. 14 other members of her panel ( team) had filed nominations for different posts other than presidentship. The election officer of IOA had not acknowledged any nominations on Friday and Saturday but got 24 nominations on Sunday. Also known as Payyoli Express P. T. Usha is one of the most admired and popular a theme of the country having brought several gold and silver medals for India and left behind minutely in the Olympics games in 400 metres race in Los Angeles Olympics lagging behind in hurdle race with 100 th part of seconds being defeated by Kristina Kojakyaru of Romania. Veteran athlete P. T. Usha has won four gold medals from 1982 to 1994 Asian Games. In Seol Asian Games she had won four Gold medals in 200, 400 meter races and 400 meter hurdle race including 400 meter 400 times relay race. She had also won the Silver medal in 100 metres race. In 1982 New Delhi Asian Games she had won medals in 100 n 200 meter race. Conclusively Usha won 23 medals which include 7 golds and rest silver medals.
