Negatively affecting reputation of India's Olympic movement: IOC reacts to IOA election mess

New Delhi The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday, November 13, 2026, that the reputation of India’s Olympic movement is taking a hit because of the extremely regrettable situation surrounding the controversy-mired IOA elections, and urged that the exercise be carried out fairly without any external interference. The statement comes after IOA (Indian Olympic Association) President P.T. Usha wrote to the IOC alleging that her failure to get elected to the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) panel was due to manipulation by other candidates under pressure from external forces. https://www.thehindu.com/sport/pt-usha-becomes-first-woman-indian-olympic-association-president/article66247252.ece Also Read | Back on track: On P.T. Usha’s appointment as Indian Olympic Association president https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/back-on-track-the-hindu-editorial-on-pt-ushas-appointment-as-indian-olympic-association-president/article66251050.ece Usha remains in contention for a second term as IOA head after being nominated by the Ice Hockey Federation of India for the December 5 General Body meeting in which the body's polls would be held.