New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) mourned the demise of its Honorary Member Raja Randhir Singh, describing the previous shooter and sports activities administrator as some of the influential figures in Asian sport, whereas saying that the Olympic flag will likely be flown at half-mast for 3 days as a mark of respect.
Raja Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympian and the primary Indian to turn out to be President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), died in New Delhi on Wednesday on the age of 79.
In a press release, the IOC mentioned Singh devoted his life to the event of the Olympic Movement in India, Asia and the world over, changing into a central determine within the progress of sport administration within the area.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry paid tribute to Singh’s contribution to world sport and the Olympic Movement.
‘Raja Randhir Singh devoted his total life to sport. As an Olympian, as an IOC Member and as a pacesetter of Asian sport, he served the Olympic Movement with distinctive loyalty, knowledge and generosity over many a long time. He will likely be remembered not just for his outstanding service and management, but additionally for his heat, friendship and lifelong dedication to sport. On behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I lengthen our heartfelt condolences to his household, his mates and all these throughout the Olympic Movement who had the privilege of working with him,’ Coventry mentioned.
A distinguished lure and skeet shooter, Randhir Singh represented India at 5 Olympic Games — Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984. He had additionally been India’s reserve shooter for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
Among his largest sporting achievements was successful the gold medal in lure capturing on the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, making him India’s first Asian Games gold medallist in capturing. He later secured a person bronze and a group silver medal on the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.
The IOC famous that Singh’s success and management performed a key function in inspiring future generations of Indian shooters and strengthening India’s emergence as a serious pressure within the sport.
While nonetheless an lively athlete, Singh was appointed Secretary General of the OCA and later turned its Acting President in 2021 earlier than being elected President in 2024, changing into the primary Indian to move the continental physique.
He was elected an IOC Member in 2001 and served till 2014, after which he turned an Honorary Member. During his tenure, he served on a number of IOC commissions and was additionally the IOC consultant on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board between 2003 and 2005.
Singh additionally served as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association for practically three a long time and was extensively considered some of the influential directors in Indian sport.
Calling his passing ‘a terrific loss to the Olympic Movement’, the IOC mentioned the Olympic flag at Olympic House will stay at half-mast for 3 days in his honour. (ANI)