OP Jaisha water row: Was there gross mismanagement on government's part?

Backing long-distance runner OP Jaisha's claim of having no support from the Indian officials at the recently concluded Rio Olympics, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP KTS Tulsi on Wednesday said that the incident revealed 'gross mismanagement' on the Centre's part.

- Jaisha alleges official apathy at Rio Olympics, AFI refutes charge

"It is very shameful. This is total mismanagement. Didn't you tell the athlete where she can get water? Why wasn't she informed? How will she get to know? There is issue of language in other nations. Didn't you have time to know about your athlete's welfare? This is gross mismanagement," Tulsi told ANI.

On Tuesday, the Sports Ministry constituted a two-member committee to inquire into the allegations of Jaisha.

The committee, formed by Sports Minister Vijay Goel, has been asked to submit its reports within seven days.

On Tuesday, Jaisha, a two-time Asian Games bronze medal-winning long distance runner, took on the Athletics Federation of India officials for not manning the special water points meant to provide her supplement drinks.

Jaisha, who finished 89th in Rio Olympics women's marathon event with a timing of 2:47:19, collapsed after reaching the finishing line.

Expressing her disappointment, she said there was no water, neither recovery drink nor food available for her.

"We are supposed to be given drinks by our technical officials, it's the rule. We cannot take water from any other team.I had a lot of problems," she said.

Demanding an inquiry into the matter, Jaisha said, "I am sure that had something grave happened to me, AFI would have still said that Jaisha didn't avail refreshment."

The Athletics Federation of India has, however, countered Jaisha's charges about official apathy and callousness in Rio.

Image: OP Jaisha at the SAI office on Tuesday

Photograph: PTI