Thiruvananthapuram, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : PT Usha, a legendary athlete, narrowly missed an Olympic medal in 1984 by just one hundredth of a second. Now, 42 years later, she faces another significant challenge as she seeks to maintain her position as the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

If Usha falters this time, will another athlete from Kerala, Anju Bobby George, emerge as a contender for this vital role?

Recent results from the IOA’s electoral college have put Usha’s ambitions in jeopardy, while Anju has secured a spot in the election process. Regardless of Usha’s fate, Kerala’s influence on the nation’s top Olympic administrative position appears to remain strong.

At 62, Usha currently serves as the IOA president and is also a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. In the recent elections for the “Outstanding Merit of Players” (SOM) category, she finished fifth, receiving 40 votes, while only four candidates were to be elected. Anju topped the category with 53 votes, followed by former hockey captain Rani Rampal with 50, archer Dola Banerjee with 45, and badminton star Saina Nehwal with 43 votes.

Usha’s inability to secure a place in the electoral college has complicated her path to another term. However, she still has a chance to participate through a nomination from a National Sports Federation that has yet to announce its representatives. Meanwhile, Anju is now eligible to compete in the IOA elections scheduled for December 5.

Anju, who won a bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships, is also an experienced sports administrator, having served as the senior vice president of the Athletics Federation of India. Both women represent different generations of Kerala athletics. Usha, hailing from Payyoli in Kozhikode district, made history in 2022 by becoming the first woman to lead the IOA.

Anju, from Changanassery in Kottayam district, etched her name in history by winning a bronze medal in long jump at the 2003 World Athletics Championships. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Usha finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles final, missing a bronze medal by a mere 0.01 seconds in a photo finish. Now, she stands at another pivotal moment in Olympic administration.

Whether Usha will re-enter the race for the presidency or Anju will emerge as a potential option, the presence of Kerala in the IOA leadership contest continues to be a topic of discussion.