Paris Olympics: Mary Kom steps down as Indian contingent Chef-de-Mission
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New Delhi: MC Mary Kom, a boxing champion and bronze medallist from the 2012 Olympics, stepped down as Chef-de-Mission of the Indian Olympic team for the Paris Games, claiming personal concerns.
Mary Kom, who was named the Indian contingent's chef de mission last month, requested to be removed from her role in a letter addressed to Dr PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
In her letter to the IOA President, Mary Kom said she was grateful to the Indian Olympic Association for placing its faith in her to serve as Chef de Mission in Paris 2024.
"I consider it an honour to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it. 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," she wrote.
"I am there to cheer on my country and the athletes competing in this Olympic Games, with great expectations," the letter further read.
IOA chief acknowledged the receipt of a letter from MC Mary Kom and said a replacement would be named after appropriate consultations.
"We are sad that Olympic medal-winning boxer and Chairperson of the IOA Athletes Commission Mary Kom has stepped down citing personal reasons. We respect her decision and her privacy. I shall make the appropriate consultations and soon make an announcement about the replacement for Mary Kom," the IOA chief said.
"I completely understand her request and respect her decision. I have also conveyed to her that she will always have my own support and that of IOA. I also request everyone to respect the legendary boxer’s privacy," she added.
The 41-year-old pugilist has represented the country in two editions of the Olympic Games (2012 London and 2020), winning bronze in the 2012 Games in London but missing out on a medal in the Tokyo Games.
The Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 in the French capital.
With inputs from IANS