Indian boxing legend and chairperson of the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Athletes Commission, M C Mary Kom, on Tuesday refuted reports that she had resigned from her position, explaining that her comments had been misunderstood. The 42-year-old, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, clarified that she had no intention of stepping down and would complete her tenure, which is set to end in 2026.
Mary Kom’s remarks come after she attended the National Games closing ceremony in Haldwani last week, where she voiced her displeasure about being lodged in an “inferior hotel.” Her outburst was misinterpreted by some as a resignation announcement, but Mary Kom made it clear that she was not stepping down.
Clarification on Comments Made at National Games
Speaking to PTI, Mary Kom emphasized that her words had been misconstrued. “I have not resigned, I will complete my tenure (which ends in 2026),” she asserted. “I was merely telling my fellow athletes commission members that if this kind of treatment happens again, I will consider resigning. I never said that I am resigning.”
Mary Kom defended her right to express her concerns. “IOA is my family, and if I am unhappy over something, I have every right to express it. This does not mean that I am resigning,” she said, stressing that she had only raised an issue regarding her accommodation during the National Games.
Athletes Commission and Her Relationship with IOA
Mary Kom was elected as the chairperson of the IOA Athletes Commission in 2022, with table tennis star A Sharath Kamal serving as the vice-chairperson. The commission includes other prominent athletes such as PV Sindhu, Om Prakash Karhana, Shiva Keshavan, Gagan Narang, Bajrang Lal, Bhavani Devi, Rani Rampal, and Mirabai Chanu.
“I don’t know why is it that every time I raise my voice for something, it is misunderstood like this? A lot of my fellow athletes speak their mind on many issues but nobody gets misunderstood,” she said, pointing out that her concerns about the hotel accommodation had been blown out of proportion.
Further Communication with IOA President
Mary Kom also addressed the matter of communication with IOA President P T Usha, saying, “I haven’t been able to connect with her because my phone was misplaced. But I will speak to her, I have good communication with her.”
One of India’s most decorated athletes, Mary Kom has been involved in the administrative side of sports, having served on the athletes’ forum of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the past. Despite the confusion over her comments, she remains committed to her role in the IOA and to serving Indian athletes.
