Anju Bobby George tops vote count in IOA elections

Former athlete Anju Bobby George received the most votes in the Indian Olympic Association election for women representatives under the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit category. She received 53 votes. Rani Rampal received 50, Dola Banerjee 45 and Saina Nehwal 43.

Incumbent IOA president P.T. Usha received 40 votes and finished fifth. Four places were available, so she was not elected in this category. Winners in the category are eligible to contest the general body election for the IOA president’s post.

In the men’s category, Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijender Singh and Kamalesh Mehta were elected unopposed, as there were four candidates for four places.

Notable Points

• Historical formation of the IOA: A provisional All India Olympic Committee held the All India Olympic Games in February 1924, and eight athletes from those games were selected for the Paris Olympics. Harry Crowe Buck and A. G. Noehren initiated the Indian Olympic Association’s creation in 1927. Sir Dorab Tata became its first president.
• Historical division of Olympic responsibilities: By 1946–47, the IOA was responsible for sending the Indian Olympic team and arranging transport, board and accommodation. Separate sport federations selected and trained competitors. From 1948, Olympic teams included athletes selected by those federations.
• Anju Bobby George at the 2003 World Championships: Anju Bobby George won bronze in the long jump at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris with a 6.70-metre jump. She became the first Indian athlete to win a medal at those championships.