New Delhi: The sports ministry on Tuesday constituted a two-member committee to probe allegations of official apathy levelled by marathon runner O.P. Jaisha, who claims to have been denied water during her event at the Rio Olympic Games.
Jaisha, who finished 89th in the marathon, has alleged that no water or energy drinks were made available by Indian officials during her event, leaving her completely exhausted at the end of the race. She fainted after crossing the finish line.
The Athletics Federation of India, however, has asserted that the athlete herself refused any such arrangement when approached a day before the event.
“The minister of state, youth affairs and sports Vijay Goel has constituted a two-member committee consisting of Onkar Kedia, joint secretary (sports) and Vivek Narayan, director (sports) to enquire into the allegations,” the ministry said.
Jaisha, after returning from Brazil, claimed that officials from all other countries provided refreshments to their runners at designated points set up every 2.5 km.
The committee will submit its report in seven days.
