Mary Kom Resigns as India’s Chef-de-Mission for Paris 2024 Olympics

Mary Kom had been appointed as the Chef-de-Mission on March 21. The IOA will announce her replacement in the coming days. Boxing legend Mary Kom resigned from her position as the Chef-de-Mission of India’s Paris 2024 Olympics contingent on Friday.

The development comes just weeks after she was announced as the leader of the Indian contingent at the Paris Games. The London 2012 bronze medallist boxer cited “personal reasons” for her stepping down.

Mary Kom informed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, the Union Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) about her resignation via an email on Friday.

“I consider it an honour to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it,” the 41-year-old boxer wrote. “However, I regret that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility and would like to resign, owing to personal reasons.

“It is embarrassing to retreat from a commitment, which I seldom do, but I am left with no choice. I am there to cheer on my country and the athletes competing in this Olympic Games, with great expectations,” the six-time world amateur boxing champion added.

On March 21, Mary Kom, a bronze medal winner at the 2012 London Olympics, was announced as India’s Chef-de-Mission at the Paris Olympics by the IOA. Six-time winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan was chosen as her deputy!

When it comes to any national contingent taking part in an international multi-disciplinary event, the Chef-de-Mission is the most important administrative position.

Chef-de-Missions are tasked with looking after the athletes and their well-being. They are also the point of contact with the various organising committees and the sporting members of the contingent.

“We are sad that Olympic medal-winning boxer and chairperson of the IOA Athletes Commission Mary Kom has stepped down citing personal reasons. We respect her decision and her privacy,” PT Usha said in a statement.

“I shall make the appropriate consultations and soon make an announcement about the replacement for Mary Kom,” the IOA chief added.