NEW DELHI: Six-time world champion boxer
MC Mary Kom
announced on Friday that she was "left with no choice" to step down from her role as India's chef-de-mission for the next Olympics in Paris.
The president of the
Indian Olympic Association
(
IOA
),
PT Usha
, declared that
Mary Kom
had written to her requesting to be removed from her role.
"I consider it an honour to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it.
However, I regret that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility and would like to resign, owing to personal reasons," the 41-year-old stated in a letter to Usha.
"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," she added.
Her appointment was first announced by the IOA on March 21.
The well-known boxer, who also won a bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012, was supposed to oversee the nation's logistics for the July 26-August 11 Games.
"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," Usha said in a statement.
"I shall make the appropriate consultations and soon make an announcement about the replacement for Mary Kom."
Usha said she had a conversation with Mary Kom after receiving her letter.
"I completely understand her request and respect her decision. I have also conveyed to her that she will always have my own support and that of IOA. I also request everyone to respect the legendary boxer's privacy," she said.
(With PTI inputs)
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