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Ashwini Nachappa has questioned the fairness of the IOA’s Sportsperson of Merit elections, claiming multiple candidates withdrew under external pressure rather than by choice.
Indian Olympic Association
Asian Championships silver medallist sprinter Ashwini Nachappa has said that the athletes who withdrew from the Indian Olympic Association’s Sportsperson of Merit elections were forced to do so, adding that this move speaks volumes about transparency within the association.
Ashwini didn’t disclose who exerted the pressure or how she was approached and asked to withdraw from the IOA SOM elections, which were held virtually on Monday.
Ashwini was among the original 11 candidates vying for four female SOM positions, whose elected representatives would be eligible to vote and contest the IOA Executive Council elections scheduled for Saturday, December 5.
“I was asked to pull out. All those who withdrew were asked to withdraw under external pressure. It was not voluntary; I can say that much… that speaks volumes about transparency,” Ashwini said while speaking to PTI.
“And that’s so sad. For me, I think whatever it may be, you can’t demean an athlete of that stature. Winning or losing is immaterial. I thought things have changed, but I think things remain what it was 30 years back when I was competing,” Ashwini added.
The 59-year-old represented India at two editions of the Asian Games and won 4x400m relay gold at the Asian Championships in 1985, 1987 and 1991. Ashwini also claimed silver medals in the individual 200m and 4x100m relay events at the 1989 edition.
The elections for the four female SOM positions were held on Monday, with six former athletes contesting the polls after five candidates, including Ashwini, withdrew from the race.
When asked why she chose not to stay on and contest the SOM elections, Ashwini said, “All of us try to bring about changes in Indian sports. I wanted to contribute to Indian sports and all I expected was fairness and fair play.”
“If the opportunity came and if there was fairness, I would have stayed on. But sadly, the very ethics and values of Olympic sport have been erased; I thought there was no point (fighting the SOM elections),” Ashwini added.
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Ask News18Ashwini Nachappa alleged that athletes who withdrew from the Indian Olympic Association’s Sportsperson of Merit elections were forced to do so under external pressure, raising concerns about transparency within the association.
Ask News18November 11, 2026, 21:10 IST
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