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.
"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 OP Jaisha. Other countries whose athletes requested for personalised drinks were present at the booths as per rules. Coach is the chief guide to an athlete and is required to take care of his/her interest. Ms. Jaisha's coach, Mr. Nikolai should have been more careful in anticipating the requirements of Ms Jaisha during the marathon and projecting the same to the organisers. He also could have given the required advice/guidance to Ms Jaisha," it added.