New Delhi: Legendary athlete PT Usha has been elected as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, previously the Union Sports Minister, congratulated the athlete on her election.

“Congratulations to legendary Golden Girl, Smt. P T Usha on being elected as the President of Indian Olympic Association. I also congratulate all the sporting heroes of our country on becoming the office bearers of the prestigious IOA! Nation is proud of them!” tweeted Rijiju.

Congratulations to legendary Golden Girl, Smt. P T Usha on being elected as the President of Indian Olympic Association. I also congratulate all the sporting heroes of our country on becoming the office bearers of the prestigious IOA! Nation is proud of them ! pic.twitter.com/LSHHdmMy9H

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— Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) November 27, 2022

The multiple Asian Games gold medallist also became the first woman president of the IOA in the process.

Earlier, Usha had said that she is filing a nomination for the post.

“With the warm support of my fellow athletes and National Federations, I am humbled and honoured to accept and file for the nomination of the president of IOA!” PT Usha tweeted on Saturday.

With the warm support of my Fellow Athletes and National Federations I am humbled and honoured to accept and file for the Nomination of the President Of IOA!

— P.T. USHA (@PTUshaOfficial) November 26, 2022

Usha emerged as the lone candidate for the post ahead of the IOA elections on December 10 as no other candidate filed the nomination to challenge her. Yesterday was the last day of the nominations.

One of the celebrated athletes from the country, PT Usha won 11 medals including four golds in the Asian Games from 1982 and 1994.

She also won four gold in the 1986 Seoul Asian Games in 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay, and also claimed silver in 100m.

The 58-year-old, also won 100m and 200m medals in the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games.

She is best known for missing out on a medal in the 400m hurdles final of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she was defeated by Romanian Cristieana Cojocaru by a hundredth of a second.