Ministry blames coach Nikolai for Jaisha’s water fiasco at Rio

The Sports Ministry inquiry committee, which was probing long-distance runner O P Jaisha's complaint of not being provided water during the Rio Olympics marathon event, has blamed her coach Nikolai Snesarev for the fiasco.

In the two-page report, which the Ministry has accepted, it has been concluded that Snesarev refused personalised drinks for Jaisha ahead of the marathon even though Indian officials had asked him about the athlete's requirements.

"The Team leader, Mr. C K Valson and the Deputy Chief Coach, Mr. Radhakrishnan did ask Mr. Nikolai on the eve of the marathon if Ms Jaisha required any personalised drink. They were told that she did not require any personalised drink," the report, which came out on Friday, stated.

"It cannot be conclusively determined whether Ms. OP Jaisha was personally asked by the team management or her coach if she wanted personalised drink," it added.

The inquiry committee concluded that Jaisha, who had to be hospitalised after collapsing at the finish line owing to dehydration, had not requested for personalised drinks. Jaisha had expressed her disappointment at not having personalised drinks after coming back from Rio. "Water as available to athletes in general was available to Ms OP Jaisha as well. Indian officials were not present at the booths where personalised drinks were kept, but this was because they did not have any request for personalised drink for Ms. O.P. Jaisha," it said.

"Other countries whose athletes requested for personalised drinks were present at the booths as per rules.